Envoy urges Sudan, South Sudan to tackle Abyei issue

JUBA — The UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga is calling for immediate talks between the government of Sudan and South Sudan to resolve a territorial dispute area of Abyei.

Abyei area covers 4,000 square miles of desert, farmland, and oil fields located along the ill-defined border between Sudan and South Sudan. Abyei is claimed by both countries.

Both sides agreed to allow the United Nations Interim Forces (UNISFA) to undertake a peace-keeping mission to mitigate conflict between Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes from Sudan.

These two have been clashing overtime in this disputed area claimed by both countries.

“We Sudan and South Sudan to agree on the final status of Abyei, both must abide by the Juba Agreement’s provisions on protecting civilians and should continue to take steps to that end, such as establishing a joint police service,” said UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Onanga-Anyanga while addressing the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

Onanga-Anyanga called upon the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to communities in Abyei.

“I hope that Sudan and South Sudan will continue to build on their improved relations, and now is the time to draft a sustainable long-term solution to outstanding issues,” he said.

Also speaking to the Council on Tuesday, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, noted that the general security situation in the Abyei Area has been relatively calm but is volatile and unpredictable.