AU intensifies effort to resolve Sudan’s Abyei crisis

AU intensifies effort to resolve Sudan’s Abyei crisis

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Jean Ping, has said the organisation is intensifying efforts to resolve the crisis in Sudan’s Abyei, in the interest of all parties.

Ping expressed grave concern over the conflict in that area and its humanitarian consequences and expressed concern over reports of displacement of residents and looting of Abyei town, and called upon the authorities to protect the civilian population.

The Chairperson of the Commission said he was fully in support of the on-going efforts being undertaken by the African Union High‐Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on Sudan.

Proactive measure

In this regard, the AUHIP Chairperson, President Thabo Mbeki, undertook a mission of good offices to Khartoum as well as Juba, on 22 and 23 May 2011,
respectively, and held promising discussions with President Omar Hassan al Bashir and First Vice‐President and President of the Government of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Both President al Bashir and First Vice‐President Kiir have reaffirmed their willingness to work out modalities for the withdrawal of all the unauthorized forces from the Abyei Area, as well as the establishment of appropriate security and administrative mechanisms to guarantee peace and security for the residents of Abyei.

The Chairperson of the Commission encourages the two Leaders to act swiftly to ensure security, the protection and return of civilians and access for humanitarian assistance.

He also anticipates that the Parties will soon take the necessary steps to resolve finally, the status of Abyei.

The Chairperson of the Commission also expressed deep appreciation of the work being done by the AUHIP, and reiterated his continued support.

Condemnations

 As reconciliation is going on, the Greater Upper Nile, Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria Youth Association known as GUBEYA has condemned the occupation of Abyei by the Sudan Armed Forces.

GUBEYA’s secretary for information, Teng Mario Madhieu, said his association regretted the killings committed by the NCP as well as the violations of the Abyei protocol.

Mr. Mario said GUBEYA appealed to the US, AU, the Arab League and all the signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to pressurize the NCP to withdraw its forces from Abyei.

The appeal also called for the implementation of the Abyei Protocol and the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Holland.

GUBEYA finally called for humanitarian assistance, both from international and domestic organisations, to those displaced by the fighting in Abyei.

Regulating child labour

The directress of child welfare in the ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare has condemned child labour in South Sudan.

Regina Oassa Lullo told the press in Juba that child labour is a serious issue that keeps children from school, Bakhita Radio reported.

She explained that children who are not in school are likely to work at home or in the market places.

Ms. Oassa revealed that her ministry signed a memo with the ministries of education and labour and International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2009 to identify issues that encourage child labour.

She explained that the three ministries together with ILO would design ways to regulate child labour and encourage children to go to school.

Catholic Radio Sudan/ Qasim