Sudanese president tells UN that Abyei’s solution is very soon
June 5, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese President reassured the visiting UN Security Council delegations on the current dispute over Abyei saying the parties are about to reach an agreement soon.
“I’m pleased to convey to you that the problem of Abyei will be resolved very soon through the ongoing consultations between the partners” of the national unity government. Omer al-bashir told the visiting delegation in a meeting held on Thursday evening.
During the ongoing talks between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) on Abyei, the two delegations discuss the return of the displaced population and the implementation of Abyei Protocol and particularly the conclusion of Abyei Boundary Commission.
With regard to the Humanitarian component, the parties agreed the displaced population of Abyei should return home. They also agreed to refer to international arbitration over the definition of Abyei’s border.
Currently the parties are negotiating over the establishment of an interim administration and the withdrawal of the SAF and the SPLA troops and the formation of Joint Integrated Units besides the deployment of UN peacekeeping force.
Also parties are negotiating over Abyei’s share from the oil produced in the region. In other terms the peace partners have to secure money for this interim administration in Abyei.
According to the peace deal, Abyei has to receive 2 percent of oil revenues generated from product extracted from the Abyei area.
South Africa Ambassador to the UN who co-leads the U.N. delegation following the closed door with the Sudanese president told reporters that al-Bashir had told the council that a draft deal was expected to be presented to the south’s legislative assembly on Friday.
“They’ve agreed to take it to the parliament of the south, which will happen tomorrow (Friday), and he said that God willing, by the 10th (of June) he hopes that everything will be done,” Kumalo said.
Civilians fled the central town of Abyei during over a week of clashes between northern and southern troops earlier in May, prompting fears of further conflict just at the onset of the rainy season.
The International Organisation for Migration said 50,000 to 60,000 people had fled to Agok, 25 km south of Abyei, and neighbouring villages, while another 10,000 were believed to have walked south toward the town of Turalei.
OCHA said it had counted nearly 27,000 people displaced so far from Abyei, according to a preliminary headcount, but was still counting in some areas. It said humanitarian agencies were working on the basis that there were 50,000 people displaced.
On Tuesday, the US envoy to Sudan Richard Williamson suspended talks to normalise relations with Sudan, accusing the two peace partners of being uninterested in meaningful peace in a disputed oil district.
“At this point the leadership on either side aren’t interested in meaningful peace and I won’t be part of a sham or paper peace that won’t really change the situation for the people of Sudan,” said Williamson.
(ST)