Security Council Press Statement on Abyei, Sudan

 

The following press statement was issued yesterday, 22 May, by Security Council President Gérard Araud (France):

The members of the Security Council are gravely concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Abyei.

The members of the Security Council condemn the attack by Southern forces against a United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) convoy escorting Sudanese Armed Forces elements of Joint Integrated Units on 19 May in Abyei, and stress that the attack was not only a serious breach of agreements between the parties, but also a criminal act against a United Nations mission and its personnel.

The members of the Security Council condemn the escalatory military operations being undertaken by the Sudanese Armed Forces, which have taken control of the area in and around Abyei town.  This constitutes a serious violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that threatens to undermine the mutual commitment of the parties to avoid a return to war and resolve all remaining Comprehensive Peace Agreement and post-Comprehensive Peace Agreement issues peacefully.  The members of the Security Council call upon the Government of Sudan to halt its military operations and to withdraw immediately from Abyei town and its environs.

The members of the Security Council deplore the unilateral dissolution of the Abyei administration and call for it to be re-established by mutual agreement, without delay.

The members of the Security Council urge both parties to refrain from the use of force, and not to engage in unilateral action creating facts on the ground meant to prejudice the outcome of negotiations.

The members of the Security Council demand the immediate withdrawal of all military elements from Abyei and the full implementation of the Kadugli Agreement.  The members of the Security Council call upon both parties immediately to restore calm, uphold the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and recommit to a negotiated political settlement on the future status of the Abyei Area, including under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel.

The members of the Security Council underscore the responsibility of the parties to protect civilians.  They further underscore the need for the parties to respect the mandate of UNMIS.  In this context, the members of the Security Council strongly condemn the shelling of the United Nations compound in Abyei.

The members of the Security Council note that UNMIS remains ready to continue to assist the parties in the implementation of the Kadugli Agreement.

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For information media • not an official record