Eastern Equatoria State Condemns Abyei Atrocities The Eastern Equatoria State citizens took to the street yesterday over the Abyei atrocities alleged by Sudan Army Forces, SAF, which according to them are working under a command from Omar Al Bashir. 27 May 2011 Eastern Equatoria State Condemns Abyei Atrocities EES citizens display placards and banners condemning Abyei attrocities [©Gurtong]
By Peter Lokale Nakimangole TORIT, 27th May, 2011 [Gurtong] – The Eastern Equatoria State citizens took to the street yesterday over the Abyei atrocities alleged by Sudan Army Forces, SAF, which according to them are working under a command from Omar Al Bashir. Before marching to the Torit freedom Square, the procession comprised of pupils, students, civil society, women and youth groups, SPLM women and youth league; including State executive and legislature among others began at the SPLM State Secretariat office in Torit. The Protestants angrily displayed many placards and banners terming the Abyei invasion as a total violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The SPLM women league banner read, ‘peaceful negotiation over disputed region of Abyei’ while that of Torit Model primary school pupils read ‘down down! Omar Al Bashir’ among others. In her speech, Hon. Alma Thomas repetitively called on God to remember and rescue the people of the South Sudan and let Abyei issue to be resolved through peaceful means. “Our almighty Father … We do not need wars anymore. Heavenly Father we are asking you to be with us during this difficult moment” she lamented. Acting Governor, EES, Nartisio Loluke Mnair stated in his speech, “As clearly stipulated in the CPA, the people of Abyei shall have the right to determine their future through a referendum to choose whether to join north or south Sudan.” He said that the north seems to undermine the peace deal by opting to keep Abyei as part of the north through military means. Loluke who is the state Deputy Governor and Minister for Local Government disclosed that the SAF attacked civilians in the town of Abyei including police posts outside Abyei town respectively on Thursday the 19th of May, 2011 and continued up to Sunday the 22nd of May. He said this aggressive act by the SAF has greatly resulted into loss of civilian lives and properties in Abyei region. “We condemn this aggressive and barbaric act by Khartoum Government against civilians in Abyei,” he responded. He also protested, “We condemn the confrontations and provocative statements made by the President of Sudan, Omar Al Bashir as televised on national TV saying that southern Kordufan will be the frontline in a war for control of Abyei and continued saying he will not recognise the independence of South Sudan if the Government of Southern Sudan claims Abyei’s ownership.” “Therefore, I take this opportunity to appeal to the international community to quickly intervene by exerting more pressure on Khartoum Government to halt its ongoing resentment on the people of Abyei and ask it to commit herself to the implementation of the remaining part of the CPA protocols,” the acting Governor stated. He told the mammoth crowd that the National Congress Party had already abrogated the Kaduguli Agreement by refusing to open Nyama road which the Abyei citizens largely depend on for entry of basic commodities by deploying militia forces on the road to accompany the Mesiriya herders to their cattle camps while brutally attacking the innocent civilians around these areas. EES’ SPLM acting chairperson, Felix Okanyi Remijo said what was happening in Abyei was so unfortunate terming it as a CPA’s violation. He narrated that in 1905; Abyei was mistakenly annexed to Kordufan by the British condominium administration. He said abyei citizens actively participated in Anyanya revolution for 17 years and in Addis Ababa agreement. He said a referendum was to be conducted by the people of Abyei to decide whether they will remain in the south or north but the north is interfering with the process. >From 1983 to 2005, Abyei people joined their fellow southerners to fight for liberation and freedom, therefore, he reiterated, Abyei deserves a room in the forthcoming new State of South Sudan. Okanyi who is also the State SPLM Deputy chairperson and acting party Secretary General said that in 2007, H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit recognized and appointed comrade Lino Edward as the first Governor of the Abyei people. He said Edward’s appointment prompted an appointment of Arop Mayak on 31st August, 2008 by the president but in 2009, Deng Arop was also appointed before illegal occupation by the Arabs in Abyei and dissolution of Abyei administration by hungry NCP. “We in the EES SPLM secretariat in strongest terms condemn the ongoing killings of the innocent Abyei citizens resulting into their displacements by the SAF,” Mr Okanyi affirmed. At the function, a representative of South Sudanese political parties in EES, William Odingila Emilio said, “On behalf of EES political parties, we strongly condemn the barbaric act committed by SAF in Abyei.” Odingila who is also the State Minister for Public Service, Labour and Human Resources Development in EES under SANU’s ticket called for a speedy intervention from the international community in the area of Abyei. An SPLM women League representative, Hon. Samira Ayen Louis Lobong condemned the killings and claims by the Mesiriya over ownership of Abyei. Mr. Ebul Simon Ohuro, EES’ SPLM Youth League acting chairperson condemned the aggression against innocent Abyei citizens. Posted in: Home, Foreign Relations, Humanitarian, Foreign Aid/Assistance, National Events -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
