UN envoy to Sudan welcomes appointment of Abyei top administrators

August 9, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The head of the U.N. mission in Sudan (UNMIS) welcomed the appointment of two top administrators to Abyei, pledging to assist the return of displaced people following last May clashes.

President Omer al-Bashir appointed yesterday, Arop Mayak Mony Toc of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) as Chief Administrator of the interim Abyei Area Administration and Rahama Abdel-Rahman Al-Nour of the National Congress Party (NCP) as Deputy Administrator.

Ashraf Qazi, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Sudan and UNMIS head, said in a statement released today that he hoped yesterday’s presidential decree will lead to further progress in efforts to ease tensions after deadly fighting in and around Abyei in May.

The row over the definition of Abyei border stalled the implementation of a protocol specific to the area since three years. But the two peace partners reached on June 8 a roadmap to implement the protocol and to end their difference over the conclusions of Abyei Boundary Commission.

Tens of thousands of residents of Abyei fled to surrounding areas after the May violence, which came three years after the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) ending one of Africa’s longest and bloodiest conflicts.

“He encourages the two parties to continue to move ahead with implementation of the remaining road map provisions so that those displaced by May’s fighting can soon return in safety and dignity to resume their lives in a secure environment,” the statement read.

Those steps include the final withdrawal from the area of the armed forces of the two sides, and the full deployment of joint integrated units and joint integrated police units.

Qazi pledged that the UN stands ready to assist any efforts to further ease tensions and he called on the international donor community to help fund the reconstruction of the town of Abyei, which was largely destroyed in the fighting.

The presidential decree requests the Chief Administrator and his Deputy to present their recommendations within two weeks regarding the appointment of the seven members of the Executive Council, and the twenty members of Abyei Area Council.

(ST)