Published: 10 January 2010
Written by Yobu Annet for Soudanvotes.com
Nine people have been reported killed and 30 injured in a flash attack on the people of Abyei. The clash, thought to be between the Sudan Armed Forces and militias, happened three days prior to Southern Sudan referendum. The people of Abyei, who had hoped to walk to polling stations on Sunday to determine whether they will be part of the North or the South, instead had to walk to a funeral ground to bury their dead. Instead of jubilating along with the Southern Sudanese as they cast their votes, they shed tears of mourning for their relatives.
Mading Deng, Acting Chairperson of the Abyei Referendum Forum, condemned the attacks. “These invading forces from the North have entered our land and villages of Maker, Magak, Maker-Awet, Todach, Miyenthith and for the past three days have been attacking and killing our people indiscriminately. Many innocent lives have been lost”. He called upon the international community to immediately denounce the violence and urged the Government of Sudan to put a stop to it. “With one voice, we remind the perpetrators and those behind them that such attacks will never be successful in stopping the will of the people, who see freedom within their grasp”, he said, stressing that these attacks only make the resolve greater.
Deng believes Abyei has been held hostage by a minority in Khartoum, who believe power can dictate truth and hold back progress. “The Comprehensive Peace Agreement that has delivered you to your referendum day is still the path to peace for the people of Abyei as well. Just as commitments were made for a Southern Sudan referendum, so were binding commitments made for an Abyei Referendum.
We must have resolutions to our status”, he said.He called upon President Bashir and President Salva Kiir to sit together and recommit themselves to a final resolution on Abyei, which is provided for in the CPA. He urged the African Union, United Nations and all members of the international community not to be fatigued or lulled into a sense that a comprehensive peace in Sudan is possible without resolution of Abyei, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.
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