UN, Sudanese parties discuss security situation in Abyei

The parties to the 2005 agreement that ended Sudan’s north-south civil war met today, along with United Nations officials, to discuss the security situation in the disputed area of Abyei, where forces linked to both sides have recently clashed.

“The meeting addressed the immediate security situation in Abyei and adopted specific steps to ensure the implementation of the Kadugli Agreements of 13 and 17 January,” UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters in New York.

“These include establishing a standing committee consisting of representatives from the two parties, the two armies, the two police forces and security services as well as the command of the Joint Integrated Units.”

The meeting took place in Abyei at the premises of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), which is mandated to provide good offices to the parties to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in their efforts to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation.

The Mission, led by Special Representative Haile Menkerios, announced this week that it is sending an additional company of troops to Abyei, reinforcing the four companies already there, following the renewed clashes.

It has been working with the parties, including the local authorities, to contain any potential violence which may escalate.

In a press statement issued yesterday, the UN Security Council condemned the use of violence in Abyei and called on all parties to reduce tensions by implementing previous agreements and resolve the status issue. It also urged the parties to cooperate with the UN peacekeeping mission in resolving their differences.

Abyei was due to have voted in a separate referendum on whether to join northern or southern Sudan in January, when the South opted for secession, but failure to establish a referendum commission and lack of agreement on who could vote prevented a ballot.