Secretary-General Says Military Stand-Off in Abyei Area of Sudan ‘Unacceptable’;

 

Resumption, Conclusion of Negotiations Must Now Be Matter of Priority

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the continued tension in the Abyei area and underscores that the military stand-off is unacceptable.  He deplores that the persistent deadlock has led to further loss of life.

The Secretary-General calls upon the leadership of the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to refrain from any unilateral declarations regarding the ownership of the Abyei area, as it jeopardizes the search for a peaceful resolution.  The parties must refrain from provoking each other or engaging in any military confrontation in Abyei, as this could result in further loss of life and significantly affect the future relationship between North and South.

The Secretary-General urges both sides to immediately implement the short-term containment measures as agreed in the Kadugli agreements of 13 and 17 January 2011 and the Abyei agreement of 4 March 2011, and to adhere to the timetable for their implementation.  The resumption and conclusion of the negotiations on Abyei must now be a matter of priority.

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For information media • not an official record