Sudan’s Salva Kiir praises the signing of Abyei roadmap

June 8, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – The First Vice-President of the Republic, President of the Government of the South, praised today the signing of the roadmap agreement on Abyei because it allows the return of displaced persons and accelerates implementation of the Abyei protocol.

The Sudanese president signed today a deal reached by a joint committee to end the row between the two peace partners since three years over the conclusions of an international commission on Abyei border.

Kiir said that this map will allow the establishment of an administration in accordance with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and also will bring an end to the suffering displaced.

Heavy fighting erupted in the last two weeks in the oil rich contested area between the SAF and the SPLA, resulting into hundreds of civilian casualties, destruction of the whole town and displacement of up to 90,000 people, according to the United Nations.

Addressing the signing ceremony of the roadmap agreement on at the Abyei Friendship Hall in Khartoum on Sunday evening, Kiir stressed on the responsibility of the Government of National Unity in preserving the lives of citizens in the region. He also underscored that the deal will allow to benefit from oil revenues and its employment for the service of the region and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.

He added that the National Conference Party and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement were unable to agree on the findings of Abyei Boundary Commission, but both parties agreed on an arbitration tribunal in a final option.

He reaffirmed the SPLM’s commitment to full implementation of the road map, saying we would like to assure the international community that we are committed to peace, democracy, and stability and that peace is the only option for the SPLM.

He further pointing out that the SPLM in its second convention held last month in Juba confirmed its commitment to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as base for the peaceful transition,

He said that the delay in the implementation of the Abyei Protocol impacted negatively on the relations between the two peace partners, the SPLM and the NCP.

The signed deal on Abyei aims at addressing the humanitarian situation currently plaguing the region and to organise the return of the displaced population by the end of June. It also stipulates the withdrawal of northern and southern Sudanese troops from the region after the deployment of joint units and the UN peacekeepers.

The accord further establishes an interim administration in Abyei with interim border; until the arbitration of the dispute over the conclusions of Abyei Boundary Commission by an international body within six monthes.

(ST)