Umma Party proposes a National Wise-Persons Commission to resolve Abyei’s dispute

Umma National Party

Memorandum to UN Security Council Delegation to Sudan

May 22nd2011

Dear Sirs,

Wewelcome your visit to Sudanand appreciate the UN role in Sudan Peace Process.

Thesituation in Sudanis inflamed. There is stalemate in Darfur Peace process, actually there isactive war in Darfur. The local limited wartaking Place in Abyei between SAF and SPLA, can easily turned into a full- blownwar between North and South due to the following facts and factors:

· Each party has armed opposition and each party supports the other’sopposition militarily and logistically.

· There are massive military gatherings along the North – South borders.

· Failure of the CPA Parties (GOS, GOSS), African and internationalmediators to resolve the Post- referendum issues (issues of disagreement).

· The sterile and fruitless bilateral methodology, especially in thepresence of a wide confidence gapbetween them and the presence of other stake- holders.

· The international leverage can play important and positive role, but itweakened its positions by adherence to formalities and procedural aspects atthe expense of the substantive ones.In addition to the fact that its neutralitywas questioned by one party:

1. The time constraint and thecritical need to resolve the outstanding issues have ignited war in Abyei.

2. The vital and livelihood issuesat the borders (e.g. trade of commodities, the movement of pastors) put morefuel to the already inflamed atmosphere.

DearSirs

Toprevent a full scale war and to stop the current war in Abyei we suggest thefollowing:

· To agree on immediate cease- fire.

· To declare Abyei a demilitarized area. UNMIS shouldtake over the policing duties in the area to restore security and order.

· Concerning Abyei Administration, the currentadministration should be replaced by a National Transitional Commission todeliver services and to manage development in the area up to the referendumdate.

· Postponement of Abyei Referendum to be held in healthyatmosphere.

· To convene a National Convention to resolve the urgentand critical practical issues: Trade, pastures, oil, water, security andcitizenship. For that end we suggest the formation of a National Wise- PersonsCommission to be commissioned with resolving them. They should be given enoughtime irrespective of the end of the transitional period which will end in Julythis year.

Lastly, again we welcome you and we hope you will manage tohelp Sudanese to help themselves. We are ready to co-operate fully towards thatend.

With best regards.

Umma National Party