North Sudan army commits huge breaches in Abyei – Luka Biong
April 11, 2008 (JUBA) — The northern Sudanese army is committing huge violations in the disputed area of Abyei said the minister of presidential affairs in the southern Sudan government today stressing that no tribal conflict there.
Luka who headed a fact-finding mission to Abyei this week on the behalf of GoSS President, Salva Kiir said the situation there is “calm but tense.” He further said this tension is created by the northern Sudan army.
SAF forces “deliberately have sent 222 soldiers to Abyei and deployed more forces outside Abyei town. This is a clear violation of the CPA, as the troops are not to be around in the area after JIU was formed.” Luk Biong said in press statements released in Juba on Friday.
Abyei dispute has already shaken the peace deal once. Last October, southern cabinet ministers walked out of the unity government over a number of disputes, including Abyei — raising fears the peace could collapse.
In December 2007, the Sudanese presidency has decided to settle by itself the row over the oil rich region of Abyei while the other pending issues in the implementation of the 2005 peace agreement are referred to other committees.
Sudan president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir said that the NCP is committed to the Abyei Protocol only with the border of 1905. He further said the government is not concerned with Abyei Boundaries Commission (ABC) report and that the latter is of no value to them.
GoSS minister further said that besides its denial of implementing the Abyei Protocol, the National Congress Party NCP and the SAF have restricted UN movements in the area.
“That, also, is a CPA violation. UN has been mandated to monitor the implementation of the Abyei Protocol.”
Biong also accused the northern Sudanese army of blocking the road liking Abyei to the north in a way that returnees are therefore not able to return home.
“The information we got also show that a large number of returnees are detained in Southern Kordofan, living under appalling conditions. This is another violation of the basic right; freedom to move.” He stated emphasising “The SAF forces in Abyei area are displacing returnees to certain places in Northern Abyei, such as Todac. People have started moving southwards again.”
Since December 2007, Misseriya militias, pushed by the SAF, have carried out dozens of attacks against people trying to return, resulting in deaths and injuries, The Human Rights Watch said yesterday.
“The attacks are deterring displaced people from returning to the disputed areas to register for the national census, which is important for future elections, a referendum on independence for the south, and resource distribution between Khartoum and southern Sudan.” The rights group added.
NOT A TRIBAL CONFLICT
However the GoSS Presidential Affairs minister underlined that traditional chiefs from the Dinka Ngok and the Misseriya doing their best to defuse tension in the area.
“The people of Abyei area appreciate very much the work done by the community leaders in reducing tension and creating a dialogue between the Misseriya and the Dinka Ngok.” Biong said.
“This reflects that the problem is not between these groups, but created by elements from outside.” He added.
SALVA KIIR IS VERY TRUSTED
The head of the GoSS fact finding mission said that his delegation was impressed by the trust the people in Abyei show towards the SPLM Chairman, Salva Kiir Mayadrit.
“They believe he will protect their rights, and his commitment to the Abyei protocol is the main reason for so many returnees to come back to Abyei,” says GoSS Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Luka Biong.
He added that the population of Abyei appreciate the appointment decision of Edward Lino as Chairman of SPLM in the area.
“This has not only provided service and security to the people, but also confirmed the commitment of the SPLM to protect the rights of the people in Abyei.” He said.
Eddward Lino, who is Abyei native, is appointed as SPLM Chairman in Abyei since January but he arrived to the oil rich area on March 26.
On April 3, the National Congress Party asked the SPLM administration withdrawal from Abyei accusing the SPLA of military build-up in the disputed area.
The NCP responsible of Abyei file, Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmad, said that the political partnership with the SPLM will be the victim of the establishment of the SPLM administration in Abyei. He further said SPLA troops must redeploy south to the 1956 border.
Despite the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 between the government of the National Congress Party and the former rebel Sudan Peope’s Liberation Movement central Abyei has remained without any government or official status after the NCP rejected the borders outlined by an independent commission.
(ST)