UN urges end of violence in Sudan's Abyei region

[News_Editor]

UN urges end of violence in Sudan's Abyei region

2011-05-24 21:25:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday called on the governments of both the north and the south to peacefully resolve the crisis, condemning the recent attacks in the disputed Sudanese region of Abyei.

"I urge all parties to explore a negotiated solution to the Abyei crisis and to avoid a descent into further conflict and chaos," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay stated, condemning the recent attacks and counter-attacks in Abyei by both sides, saying it was "certainly no way to advance the peaceful coexistence of north and south Sudan."

A UN convoy transporting troops of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Joint Integrated Unit last Thursday came under attack in Dokura, an area just north of Abyei, which was under the control of the southern Sudan People's Liberation Army.

The SAF then launched an attacked two days later on Saturday and took control of Abyei itself – a move condemned by the Security Council as a breach of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the long-running north-south civil war in Sudan.

Pillay voiced particular alarm at the shelling of civilian areas in Abyei by the SAF, as well as reports of aerial bombardment in other locations such as Todacch, Tajalei and in the vicinity of the River Kiir Bridge.

On Wednesday, the UN Mission in Sudan strongly condemned Monday's looting and burning of Abyei which took place, just days after the SAF took control of the region.

The recent increase of violence has displaced a significant number of civilians, possibly hundreds of thousands, according to the UN mission.

"Any remaining civilians in Abyei and surrounding towns and villages must be protected and guaranteed safe passage in line with international human rights and humanitarian law," Pillay stated, calling on the Government of Sudan to ensure that, in areas under its control, homes and property are not burned and looted.

"Those found responsible for such criminal acts must be brought to justice," Pillay underlined, saying that the governments of both the north and the south must investigate all breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law and ensure that perpetrators of violations are brought to justice.

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