AU calls for urgent inquiry into death of Dinka Ngok chief

May 9, 2013 (JUBA) – The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has called for a “credible, transparent and independent” inquiry into circumstances that resulted into the recent killing of the Dinka Ngok paramount chief in Abyei.

Kuol Deng Majok and a United Nations Interim Forces for Abyei (UNISFA) personnel were on 4 May, killed when armed men reportedly attacked their convoy in Baloom, an area within the contested region. Three other peacekeepers were also injured in the incident.

The AUPSC, in a communiqué issued after its meeting on Abyei developments, urged the Government of Sudan to ensure that all those responsible for this terrible crime are brought to justice immediately.

“(..)Council also stresses the need for the urgent definition of the Terms of Reference of the proposed inquiry,” the statement reads in part.

The US, UN and scores of African leaders strongly condemned the Abyei incident, while calling on concerned authorities to investigate the matter and hold accountable, those responsible.

The attack, the AU said, was likely to compromise the “significant progress” both Sudan and South Sudan have so far made in efforts to promote mutually cooperative relations. It further urged the leadership and the people of the two countries to demonstrate utmost restraint and ensure the situation does not escalate further.

[The] Council further urges the two governments to exercise control over the respective communities in the Abyei area, it stressed.

The AUPSC, at its meeting, also expressed concern over reports that the various communities living in Abyei were heavily armed, contrary to the June 2011 Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the disputed region.

The agreement, in part, stipulates that Abyei should be a weapons-free Area, and that only UNISFA is authorized to carry weapons inside the area.

“To this end, [the] Council urges the two Governments to take all the necessary steps to ensure that Abyei is effectively demilitarized, including through disarmament programmes as necessary. [The] Council further appeals to the Government of Sudan to fully and immediately withdraw its forces from the demilitarized zone,” further reads the communiqué.

The AU also urged the leaders of the two countries to ensure the final status on the disputed region is reached, based on its High Level Implementation Panel proposal of 21 September 2012.

Meanwhile, members of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) appealed to both Sudan and South Sudan to speed up the formation of the Abyei Area Council as well as the Abyei Area Administration.

The committee, during its extraordinary meeting held in the Ethiopian capital also agreed to engage communities from both Sudan and South Sudan so they can engage their people to restrain from further attacks.

(ST)