Resolve Abyei Dispute Through Dialogue

30 May 2011

editorial

The dispute over Sudan’s oil-rich Abyei region could plunge the long-suffering nation into another bloody war. The region, claimed by both south and north Sudan, has been seized by northern troops, leaving 150,000 people displaced.

The international community must rein in Khartoum and compel President Omar-el-Bashir– who is also wanted by the International Criminal Court over the murderous war in Darfur, to refrain from war-mongering.

Sudan’s two-decade civil war, led by the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army against northern Sudan, was one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa that left two million dead. That is why the world was hugely relieved when a 2005 peace deal ended the fighting between the Arab Muslim north and the largely Christian and animist south.

South Sudan’s January referendum that saw an overwhelming vote for secession was part of the 2005 agreement that should see the south become an independent state in July. Khartoum, however, seems to be determined to scuttle the south’s smooth transition to an independent State.

The main issue is the sharing of oil in Abyei. The 2005 agreement expected Abyei to hold their own referendum to choose whether they want to belong to the south or north. That vote has, however, been indefinitely postponed.

Until a referendum is held, Khartoum’s current occupation of Abyei is a violation of the 2005 peace deal. The United Nations and the African Union must ensure that Bashir removes his troops from Abyei and the two sides avoid confrontation.

The road to peace in Sudan was a long, painful process. It took international mediators a lot of effort to convince the warring parties to reach the 2005 agreement. Neither Bashir nor President Salva Kiir should be allowed to disrupt the completion of that peace process.

To his credit, Kiir has said he would not lead his people into war over Abyei and said talks would be the best way to resolve the dispute. Bashir cannot go on fighting when the rational option for dialogue is open. We encourage Kiir and Bashir to put the interest of their nation first by resolving the Abyei dispute through honest dialogue.

The two sides should know too well that with the ongoing conflict, neither side can get the much-needed oil funds they are fighting for. As neighbours, they must learn to coexist and share resources.

AllAfrica – All the Time