Act responsibly to avoid war, AU tells Sudan and South Sudan

April 18, 2012 (AWEIL) – The African Union (AU) on Wednesday urged both Sudan and South Sudan to “act responsibly” and immediately end the current conflict between their armed forces, as demanded by the international community.

The AU said it remains “gravely” concerned about a possible return to war between the two countries, particularly citing the escalation of military operations, as well as the recent troop movements into and around the oil-producing Abyei region.

“These flagrant violations of the 20 June 2011 Agreement on the Temporary Security and Administrative Arrangements for Abyei are unacceptable. The AU reiterates its demand that the remaining 300 SAF forces in Abyei and 700 South Sudan Police Forces are also immediately and unconditionally redeployed out of the Abyei area,” the statement reads in part.

The African body, however, said it fully supports the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), in its efforts to foster security and assist the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC), through its facilitator.

UNISFA, was established in June last year under the terms of Security Council resolution 1990 (2011) to monitor and verify the redeployment of any Sudan Armed Forces, Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM) or its successor from the Abyei area. It comprises a maximum of 4200 military personnel, 50 police personnel, and appropriate civilian support.

Both Sudan and South Sudan have been fighting around disputed border area of Heglig ever since it was occupied by the southern army (SPLA) last week, in what analysts say could trigger return to war.

The AU called upon the two countries to take immediate steps to reduce tensions, and to act responsibly in the spirit of cooperation in pursuit of establishing two viable states.

Specifically, the AU recalled the draft decisions of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM), proposed to the Parties by the African Union High?Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), on 4 April 2012, which provide a sound basis for establishing mutual security along the common border between Sudan and South Sudan and, to this end, urges the Parties to:

• Scrupulously implement the security agreements already entered into, which are sufficient by themselves to address the principal concerns of the Parties. These include especially the 18 September 2011 decisions of the JPSM and the 10 February 2012 Memorandum of Understanding on Non?Aggression and Cooperation;
• Ensure that their respective armed forces adhere scrupulously to relevant provisions of human rights law and international humanitarian law, with respect to the protection of civilians, prisoners of war and the wounded;
• Respect and protect the oil installations and related infrastructure both in the north and south, recognizing that these are the property of the people of north and south Sudan respectively.

Meanwhile, the AU has urged both Sudan and South Sudan to adopt a security and administrative centre line for the border, as a way of defusing the current tension and taking the necessary practical measures to disengage their respective armed forces.

“This centre line should be based upon the border as it existed on 1 January 1956, following the delineation in those areas in which it has been agreed, and respecting the administrative arrangements as they existed on the ground on 9 July 2011,” further notes the AU statement.

Such an arrangement, it added, in no way, prejudices the final resolution of the status of the disputed areas and the claims that can be made by either side.

Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations Secretary General on Tuesday reiterated his call for the complete withdrawal of South Sudan troops from Heglig. His earlier remark was, however, welcomed with widespread protests and condemnation from activists all over South Sudan.

(ST)