Secretary-General, Strongly Condemning Abyei Escalation, Deplores Shelling

 

of United Nations Compound, Calls on Parties to Cease Military Operations

 

The following statement was issued on 22 May by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the ongoing escalation of violence in Abyei, which has included increased troop movements and exchanges of heavy and small arms fire between the security forces of the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan.  The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned for the safety of the civilian population of the area, the vast majority of whom has been forcibly displaced due to the fighting.  He deplores the actions of those responsible for the shelling of the United Nations compound by mortar rounds which wounded two peacekeepers, and calls on those responsible to be held to account.  The Secretary-General calls on both sides to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel on the ground.  The Secretary-General also reiterates his call to investigate the attacks on United Nations troops in Goli on 10 May and the United Nations-escorted convoy on 19 May, in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Secretary-General calls on both parties to immediately cease their military operations, withdraw all forces and armed elements from Abyei and desist from further acts of antagonism.  He calls on the parties to uphold their previous commitments to maintain peace and security in the Abyei Area through mechanisms already agreed upon, and engage in serious discussions to find a final settlement to the Abyei issue before 9 July.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record