Advocacy group warns of conflict in Abyei region
JUNE 17,2013 (JUBA) – An advocacy group has warned of a possible outbreak of conflict in disputed border region of Abyei unless claims to the area between north and south Sudan are peacefully resolved.
The group, in a press release, said its three-day event was organised to find out whether democratisation in the two Sudans was on track or had derailed and examined the political concepts in light of what it described as “shrinking” space for the civil society.
At the conference, however, members of the advocacy group called for promotion of peace, reconciliation and good neighbourliness between the two ex-foes.
“We call upon the parties to immediately resume negotiations, to endorse the AU [African Union] proposal, and to include local communities to enable them to fully understand the content of the proposals”, partly reads the statement, signed by Peter Marina, who is described as the group’s focal person for the two Sudans.
Abyei remains a flashpoint for the two countries, especially following last month’s brutal murder of Kuol Deng, a paramount chief of the Dinka Ngok tribe in the region.
The conference, also explored conflict situations in restive states of South Kordofan, Blue Nile, Darfur and Jonglei regions, while looking at possible remedies and what role outside parties can play in achieving peace, stability and democracy in both countries.
“We are especially anxious over the fact that people are still dying in large numbers from armed conflict and disease and that humanitarian access is denied to some parts of the affected population”, the group said.
“We call upon all stakeholders, governments, political parties and civil society organisations in and outside the countries, to focus their attentions on other rights and physical security of all citizens and to step up efforts to genuinely reconcile and to safeguard a peaceful transition and future for all people in Sudan and South Sudan,” it further stressed.
However, while the advocacy group called on the Sudanese government to halt its aerial bombardment in the conflict affected regions so as to facilitate humanitarian work, it also urged the latter and armed elements, to respect human rights and international humanitarian laws by stopping all forms of violence against civilians, humanitarian workers and peacekeepers.
“We call upon the parties in dispute to pursue a genuine peace dialogue and to obtain the support of the civil society through participation in the peace process”, it stressed.
(ST)