France urges swift settlement for Abyei’s status
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May 9, 2011 (PARIS) — France’s foreign ministry voiced concern today
at the recent tension in the region of Abyei and urged the two
partners of 2005 peace agreement to reach a quick settlement on the
status of the contested area.
France "encourages the authorities of North and South, as well as
leaders of local communities to do everything possible to immediately
restore calm and prevent unnecessary suffering to civilian
populations," said a statement released by the French foreign affairs
ministry on Monday.
Since the failure of the two parties to hold a referendum to determine
the fate of the region in January, tension is escalating in Abyei
between the armed forces from north and south Sudan which accuse each
other of military buildup in the area.
On 3 May, some 14 people were killed in clashes between the local
police from southern Sudan and northern Sudanese troops from the Joint
Integrated Units deployed in the area. Both sides accuse each other of
starting the fighting.
France, which is the president of the UN Security Council for May,
urged swift solution of the status of Abyei "within the boundaries
defined by the decision of the Court of Arbitration in The Hague".
Also this settlement should respect "the legitimate aspirations of
nomads to move freely within the territory of Abyei," underlined the
statement.
The African Union high level panel on Sudan, said in a statement
released Monday the two peace parties reiterated their commitment to
the peace agreement they signed in 2005.
" On the basis of these commitments, the AUHIP understands that the
status of Abyei will remain unchanged until a political settlement is
agreed," the AU stressed.
Also in Abyei, the two parties agreed on Sunday to implement a deal
reached last January in Kadugli to withdraw the authorized forces form
Abyei during the period from 10 to 17 May.
The UN mission in Sudan welcomed the agreement of 8 May saying the
parties will work together to create a more conducive environment by
de-escalating tensions and speaking to the local communities.
A delegation of the UN Security Council, headed by the French
Ambassador to the UN, will visit Abyei area to show international
concern over the growing tension there and to urge the parties to
conclude a final deal over the fate of the disputed region.
(ST)
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