South Sudan legal affairs minister clarifies on court’s decision for Abyei
By James Gatdet Dak
July 21, 2009 (JUBA) — Minister for Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development in the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan, Michael Makuei Lueth, said the Wednesday expected ruling on the Abyei boundaries was misinterpreted by some media organs and rumor-mongers.
Makuei, in a press conference held on Tuesday in Juba, clarified that the upcoming Wednesday ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is not about determining whether Abyei belongs to either the South or the North of Sudan as misinterpreted by some elements.
He explained that the Court’s decision will be to determine the demarcation of Abyei’s boundaries based on the Abyei Boundary Commission (ABC) report as such, or based on the arguments presented by the parties during the court’s hearings.
Makuei further explained that if the court finds that the ABC experts exceeded their mandate per the CPA, in determining the boundaries, the court will decide where to demarcate these boundaries; and if not, then the ABC report will fully have to be implemented by the parties.
The decision for Abyei to either join the North or the South will be determined by the people of Abyei in 2011 referendum at the time the South will also determine whether to remain with the North or become an independent country.
He said Abyei will remain under the custody of the Presidency in Khartoum until the time of referendum in 2011.
Makuei, who is member of the component of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the Joint High Executive Political Committee that negotiated the Abyei Road Map agreement with the National Congress Party (NCP), said the court’s ruling on Abyei’s boundaries will not only restrict to its boundaries with the North but will also include its boundaries with the adjacent states in Southern Sudan such as Warrap and Unity states.
He assured the people of Southern Sudan not to panic as they await the ruling on Wednesday. He reiterated that the SPLM was committed to abide by whatever decision is reached by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
Makuei accused the UN Special Representative to Sudan, Ashraf Qazi, of announcing a “baseless and misinformed” report about the alleged SPLA forces deployments in Abyei.
He said Ashraf’s statements are a cause for panic in the country.
He further added that it is the responsibility of the Khartoum-based Government of National Unity (GoNU), the Joint Integrated Units (JIUs) and the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to protect the population in Abyei in case of any eruption of violence in the area.
The Legal Affairs minister said the situation was peaceful, but however warned that the SPLA forces would intervene if the people of Abyei were to be exposed to danger and without protection from the above mentioned forces.
Makuei added that the SPLM’s delegation headed by the Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar will be in The Hague by Wednesday to attend the announcement of the ruling by the international court while other senior members will be present on the ground in Abyei on Wednesday to calm the situation and enlighten the masses about the ruling.
NCP will also send its delegations to both The Hague and Abyei by Wednesday.
The UN Special Envoy, Ashraf Qazi and the American Special Envoy to Sudan, Scot Graton, are also expected to be present on the ground in Abyei on the same day.
(ST)