Interim force in Abyei prevented civil war, Ethiopia’s Zenawi

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 31, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, has lauded the Ethiopian peace keeping force deployed in the disputed Abyei region for their role in successfully accomplishing mission.

Zenawi while convoying a message during the national day marked last week said that the presence of the Ethiopian forces in Abyei has remarkably contributed to stability and security in the region.

According to the Ethiopian premier, the peace keeping force, known as the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), has built confidence between the Misseiriya and Dinka Ngok tribes and prevented an out break of war between Sudan and South Sudan.

“It was said of Abyei that it can’t be an island of peace while other areas around it are set on fire but the unthinkable happened and an island of peace surrounded by fire has been created,” said Zenawi.

Ethiopia is seen as a relatively neutral broker during the North, South Sudan mediation efforts and both sides agreed for an Ethiopian peace force to monitor the Abyei region.

Although the UN doesn’t encourage deploying peacekeeping force from a single country, the UN Security Council in June mandated a 4,200 strong Ethiopian force to Abyei. The horn of Africa’s nation began sending its troops to the contested region on August 23.

South Sudan officially proclaimed independence from Sudan in July 2011, six months after a referendum agreed under a 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended decades of civil war.

However, a number of outstanding issues, including on the fate of Abyei, remain pending between the two east African neighbours.

A planed referendum for Abyei to determine whether the region remains in Sudan or breaks away to South Sudan was never held due to the failure of both sides to agree on who could participate in the self determination vote.

Last week the, interim security force replaced the existing troops with new Ethiopian forces.

(ST)