UN condemns escalating violence in Sudan's disputed Abyei area

2011-05-23 02:55:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday condemned the ongoing escalation of violence in Sudan's disputed oil-rich area of Abyei.

The Secretary-General condemned the exchange of fire between the security forces of the governments of Sudan and South Sudan, and expressed concern for the safety of civilians.

"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," a statement released by UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky said.

Ban also reiterated his call to investigate the attacks on United Nations troops in Goli on 10 May and the UN escorted convoy on 19 May. The May 10 attack occurred on the day that the north and southern sides had agreed to start withdrawing their unauthorized forces from Abyei as part of a pact facilitated by the UN.

Violence erupted after the referendum on Abyei's status never took place amid disagreement on voter eligibility. In July, Southern Sudan will secede from the rest of the country, as a result of a separate referendum held in January.

However, the north and south have been recently disputing over border demarcation and the status of the conflicted Abyei area.

"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 Abei issue before 9 July," Nesirky added.

Earlier on Sunday, the United Nations Security Council called on the government of Sudan to halt its military operations and withdraw immediately from Abyei town.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13495684

The members of the Security Council call upon the government of Sudan to halt its military operation and withdraw immediately from Abyei town and its environs," the French ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, said in Khartoum.

And if they don't withdraw the U.N should throw them out by force if necessary - that's if there is any consistency considering their recent actions in the Ivory Coast.