Ki Moon calls for peaceful resolution to Sudan oil row
By Julius N. Uma
January 30, 2012 (JUBA) — Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary
General on Sunday urged leaders in both Sudan and South Sudan to reach
an agreement on how to share their oil wealth after series of counter
accusations forced the latter to shut down its oil production.
summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Ki-moon said the UN mission,
despite logistical constraints, has succeeded in saving many lives
during the recent violence in South Sudan’s Jonglei state.
“Our peacekeepers are doing all they can [do] with what they have.
Despite severe logistical constraints, particularly air transport, the
mission succeeded in saving many lives during the recent crisis in
Jonglei,” said the UN Secretary General.
The UN estimates that more than 120,000 people, mainly women and
children have been displaced in the ethnic violence that rocked South
Sudan’s largest state since December last year. Hundreds have also
been killed, several cattle herds raided and properties destroyed.
Speaking in a combination of English and French, Ki Moon urged all AU
member states to respect fundamental human rights; specifically citing
discrimination based on sexual orientation, which he said had been
largely ignored or even sanctioned by many states for far too long.
“Confronting this discrimination is a challenge. But we must live up
to the ideals of the Universal Declaration,” he said.
He also lauded the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC),
saying it has proven to be an increasingly effective tool in standing
against impunity and extending the reach of international human rights
law.
The UN, he said, remains committed towards ending the Lord Resistance
Army (LRA) insurgency, which threatens peace prospects in four African
countries.
Meanwhile, the AU summit chose Benin’s President, Thomas Boni Yayi the
new AU chairman, replacing his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, Teodoro
Obiang Nguema. The AU leadership post is held on a one-year rotational
basis.
In acceptance speech, according to an AU communiqué, President Yayi
underlined priorities of his mandate which includes peace, stability
and security. He also urged his peers to strive for more stability and
security, reinforce continental integration, and promote
infrastructure development to alleviate poverty from the African
continent.
(ST).