Sudanese President Al-Bashir Signs Essential Abyei Peace Agreement

In a historic and much anticipated move to resolve an impasse that has long been a stumbling block to peace in Sudan, the partners of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) yesterday ushered in an essential agreement that would at once settle the contentious issue of Abyei. In a session chaired by President al-Bashir, attended by his two deputies, first Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit and second Vice Ali Osman Taha, and in the presence of the NCP-SPLM Joint Work Team, the presidency inked the monumental document.

Abyei has been the center of tensions that have occasionally culminated into an eruption of violence between the Armed Forces and the SPLA since the signing of the CPA over 3 years ago. The latest of these skirmishes displaced an estimated 50,000 residents and left a number of combatants from both sides dead and wounded. Its irresolution has been the result of indecision within the Comprehensive Peace Agreement itself.

Yesterday’s roadmap agreement provides clear and time-bound benchmarks that the partners must strive to meet. Four of its main points of focus have to do with Security arrangement, repatriation of IDPs, Interim administration, and international arbitration.

The security arrangements provide for the deployment of a Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) to the region within 10 days, followed by a police force that is to be authorized by both parties first before it is mobilized. A United Nations’ force will also take part in the security maintenance. After this has successfully been implemented (before the end of June), and the parties withdraw their troops currently in the area of administration, IDP repatriation is to commence. The Government of National Unity is fully prepared to work in concert with International groups to achieve this objective. Interim administration (faithful to the provisions in the Abyei protocol) is to be a joint effort of two individuals from Abyei appointed by their respective parties.

Finally, the agreement calls on the partners to create structures for the process of border arbitration, which must include “the designation of an international arbitration body, a mechanism for the selection of arbitrators, matters referred to arbitration, rules for arbitration proceedings, the decision-making and implementation of the decision.” They are to determine where the dividing line lies between the groups.

This agreement has demonstrated Sudan’s determination to seriously confront and overcome obstacles hampering its efforts towards achieving lasting peace. The leadership is determined in spite of occasional turbulence in the partnership. At the least, this agreement should momentarily silence those fear-mongering voices that wage endless campaigns invariably seeking to paint a grim picture of the peace loving Sudan by beating the drums of war.

Source: Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan

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