29 May 2011
Khartoum — The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) announced on Saturday that it has ended its military operation in Abyei which lies on the North-South borders, a week after it moved on to seize control of the oil rich region.
Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoted SAF spokesperson Al-Sawarmi Khalid Sa’ad as saying that Abyei now “enjoys safety and security”.
The military spokesperson called on the Dinka Ngok, Misseriya and other tribes to return to the region and resume their lives there. He vowed that SAF will provide protection to national and international humanitarian aid groups operating in Abyei.
Khartoum justified its takeover of Abyei by saying that it was in retaliation to an ambush near the region it blamed on the Southern military groups. The SAF convoy that came under attack was escorted by peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).
Widespread fighting and looting forced around 40,000 people to flee down muddy roads without their possessions. Entire villages were emptied, international organizations say.
The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) promised Abyei residents a referendum over whether to join north or south, but that did not take place as neither could agree who was qualified to vote.
The South already voted last January in a separate referendum in favor of secession which will become official next July.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Army Declares End to Military Operations in Abyei