South Sudan completing withdrawal of police service in Abyei
May 7, 2012 (JUBA) — South Sudan said on Monday it is completing withdrawal processes of police forces from the contested area of Abyei, apparently in conformity with the United Nations Security Council resolution endorsing roadmap of the Africa Union Peace and Security Commission.
Speaking with Sudan Tribune from Abyei, Luka Biong Deng, a Co-Chair of Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) said he had completed all processes of withdrawal of the police forces deployed in the area. He pointed out that he was only waiting for arrival of the high level delegation from Juba to formalize departure.
Biong said he had held “successful” meetings with local leaders including members of the civil society organisations and faiths based groups to clearly explain reasons that pushed the government of South Sudan to pull out police forces from the area.
The senior member of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) on Friday left Juba for Abyei town where he first met and held meetings with senior members of the United Nations Interim Forces for Abyei (UNISFA) to brief them of the decision taken by the South Sudanese government to pull out police forces deployed in the area.
“I first travelled to Abyei and held meetings with the members of the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei including the force commander. I briefed them of the decision taken by our government and to also hear how they can assist in the processes,” Biong said.
He explained that the reason for withdrawing police forces though it was experiencing challenges including voices criticizing it was to comply with resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations which endorsed recommendations and roadmap of the African Union.
“We know this is a tough decision but we must stand by our government because we are a responsible member state of the United Nations with obligations to respect and comply,” he underscored.
The former cabinet minister explained that they took this decision in compliance with the decisions of the African Union Peace and Security Council in order to allow peaceful dialogue a chance to resolve disputes.
“With this decision our people will now expect the International Community to exert more and concerted efforts to ensure that the government in Khartoum responds and withdraws troops and other allied forces currently in Abyei,” he said.
Following the occupation of Heglig, the South Sudanese President issued a statement criticising the position of the international community on Abyei because Khartoum refused to withdraw its troops and to implement a UN decision on the area.
The Sudanese army captured the area after an attack by uncontrolled elements of the SPLA on the Sudan Armed Forces in May 2010. The latter have to pull out of the area simultaneously with the SPLA but Khartoum says it will do it after the full deployment of the international force.
The two parties failed to agree on who can participate in a referendum on self-determination to be exercised by the population of Abyei. Juba refuses and Khartoum insists on the participation of Misseriya nomal tribe.
Aguer Ajiing Juac, a member of Abyei youth executive association in Juba said the government decision to withdraw police forces from the area will create “a security gap” if the parties fail to reach an immediate settlement on the contentious issues
He was on the other hand skeptical on the measures that the international community adopt to force Sudan to withdraw its troops of the oil producing area.
He said he is not certain of the immediate withdrawal of the Sudan Armed Forces from the area because Khartoum demands that security issues top the agendas of the talks, despite the fact that the AU and UN resolutions demand to not resume hostilities.
Khartoum, which accuses Juba of harboring and supporting the Sudanese rebels, says it wants the issues of border security be the first issue to negotiate before to continue the other disputed issues including Heglig.
(ST)