Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

UN rights expert to Sudan warns against fallout of Abyei tension, raises multiple concerns

March 14, 2011 (NAIROBI) – The UN-appointed human rights expert on Sudan, Mohamed Chande Othman, has painted a grim picture of the situation in the country in terms of curtailed civil liberties, deteriorating conditions of refugees in Darfur region and surge of violence in southern Sudan as well as in the contested area of Abyei, warning that dispute over the latter could disrupt peace between north and south Sudan.

UN expert on the human rights situation in Sudan Mohamed Chande Othman
UN expert on the human rights situation in Sudan Mohamed Chande Othman
In a statement he issued on Monday following the conclusion of his eight day visit to Sudan, the second since being mandated by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council in November 2009, Mohamed Chande Othman noted with concern the “continuing deterioration of the situation in the Abyei region.”

The status of the oil-producing territory of Abyei is a major point of contention in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended nearly half a century of intermittent civil wars between north and south Sudan in 2005. Under the deal, south Sudan chose in a landslide vote in January to secede from the north and form an independent state which will come to being when the deal expires in July this year.

Both north and south Sudan claim ownership of Abyei where overlapping of the north-backed Misseriya nomadic tribe and the south-linked group of Dinka Ngok fuelled several incidents of violent clashes. A referendum was supposed to be held in Abyei in January to decide whether it should join north or south Sudan but the plebiscite has been held hostage to disagreements between north and south Sudan over whether members of Misseriya should be allowed to vote.

A recent spate of violent clashes north of Abyei between local south Sudan police and armed Misseriya tribesmen has resulted in several death cases and massive displacements, prompting mutual accusations between north and south Sudan over reasonability for the violence. Analysts attribute the surge of violence to the onset of the migration season during which members of Misseriya traverse the borders into Abyei to graze their cattle.

Chande warned in his statement that “Abyei still remains a flashpoint which could potentially derail the entire peace process,” urging the CPA partners to take “immediate action” to remedy the situation and investigate reports of violence against citizens.

He noted that “tension in the region has been high due to the delayed referendum for Abyei and restrictions on the movement of Southerners who returned to cast their ballots in the Southern Sudan referendum.”

Similarly, the UN expert expressed concerns about what he described as the violation of fundamental rights and freedom, including freedom of assembly and expression, by law enforcement authorities in north Sudan.

Chande pointed out that the government of Sudan continues to hold in detention a number of opposition figures and anti-government activists without charge or a right to challenge their detention in a court of law. He revealed with regret that the director general of Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), Mohamed Atta, has refused to meet him to discuss these concerns.

Sudan has recently cracked down on several opposition activities and protests by civil society actors, exhibiting growing sensitivity to dissent after popular uprisings toppled deeply-entrenched governments in Tunisia and Egypt earlier this year. There have been reports that the detainees were subjected to torture and sexual harassments.

With regards to south Sudan, which voted overwhelmingly in a referendum in January to secede from the north and form an independent state, whose official existence is due in July this year, Chande noted with concerns “the increasing loss of lives, and displacements of civilians caused by criminality, cattle rustling, inter-communal violence,” as well as fighting between the SPLA and militia groups.

“The lack of accountability and impunity associated with these incidents will continue to adversely impact on the peace, stability and security of the region,” his statement read.

Heavy fighting erupted last month between South Sudan army the SPLA and forces loyal to its renegade general Gorge Athor in the oil-producing state of Jonglei, leaving as many as 200 people dead, including women and children, and displacing thousands.

Chande urged all parties involved in South Sudan violence to refrain from actions that violate the rights of citizens and hinder flow of humanitarian assistance.

The UN expert also deplored the situation of refugees displaced by intensified violence between government and rebel factions in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, saying that the continuing impact of these hostilities is “unacceptable.”

He said based on his first-hand experience when he visited camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in north Darfur that the situation of refugees could reach “catastrophic levels” without immediate humanitarian assistance.

Sudan expelled a dozen of international NGOs operating in Darfur following the issuance in March 2008 of an arrest warrant for its President Omar Al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of masterminding war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide allegedly committed during the course of the conflict which the UN says killed 300, 000 and displaced over 2.7 million since it erupted in 2003.

Chande said he had discussed the issue of impunity and accountability in Darfur with justice ministry officials who alleged that the government is undertaking investigations into recent criminal acts that occurred in the region. However, Chande noted that crimes committed in Darfur date back to the beginning of the conflict in 2003, in an apparent reference to those committed during the government’s harsh counterinsurgency campaign against rebel groups.

“I am afraid that violations of human rights will continue to occur in Darfur if the issues of justice and accountability are not effectively addressed,” he pointed out.

UN SAYS ITS PEACEKEEPERS DENIED ACCESS TO SOME AREAS IN ABYEI

In a related development, a statement released on Monday by the spokesman of the UN’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that peacekeepers of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), which is mandated to monitor the CPA, had been “consistently refused access” to areas of conflict in Abyei and “considerably restricted” in their movement.

UNMIS has deployed an extra group of peacekeepers north of Abyei to defuse tension amid reports of burning of local villages by unknown militias.

Ban Ki-Moon called on north and south Sudan to allow UNMIS “unhindered” access to these areas in order to assess the situation and immediate needs on the ground.

The statement voiced Ban Ki-Moon’s deep concern “by the continued tension and violence in the Abyei area.” He further urged north and south Sudan leaders to restrain local communities in Abyei and to implement the provisions contained in a UN-mediated accord signed in Sudan’s town of Kadugli to defuse tension in the area.

Leaders of Misseriya threatened this month in a meeting with north Sudan officials to enter Abyei “by force” if they are denied access to grazing land.

(ST)

13 Comments

  • harry
    harry

    UN rights expert to Sudan warns against fallout of Abyei tension, raises multiple concerns
    If you think it over carefully, the real problem that’s facing republic of South Sudan is Abyei, not George Athor. Abyei is the ticking bomb that will put us back to the square one. It is an African Kashmeer.

    Harry,

    Reply
  • Redbull Geo
    Redbull Geo

    UN rights expert to Sudan warns against fallout of Abyei tension, raises multiple concerns
    UN activities is a big problem in sudan. You find that any UN talking about Sudan bears a muslim name: How can we get good out a muslim affected mind.

    Reply
  • Jalaby
    Jalaby

    UN rights expert to Sudan warns against fallout of Abyei tension, raises multiple concerns
    Well, there is no solution for Abyei as long as Dinka Nok have only one solution for this problem, only see the solution with one eye and half mind .. Abyei is south and no place for Misseriya!!

    Ironically, Dinka Nok flee Abyei when ever a clash erupted!! usually they start the problem by preventing Misseryia and blocking them by force from grazing their cows on this area which they used to graze them since long time ago even before Dinka Nok came from the south escaping Nuer warriors and settled in this area!!

    Dinka Nok fled the area when the last clash was erupted two weeks ago and I’m not sure whether they came back or still on the loose??!!

    Well, That is a wise decision by Dinka Nok I guess, just flee and never come back again. Fleeing Abyei proves that Dinka Nok are not the real owner of the land, how come you flee your home no matter what? if it is your home then you will fight till you win or die, Unless Misseriya believe it is their land they will never continue fighting like this everyday and die for their cause and never pay attention to death, what a brave people!!

    Again, it is wise decision by Dinka Nok, just flee and run away and never come back, Americans will never fight on behalf of you, you have 10 Dinka branches (brothers) in south and any one of them can offer you a safe haven and host you, could be Dinka Bor, Gogrial, Akok, etc.

    Since Dinka Nok refused and rejected any possible solution for Abyei and insisting to deny Miseriya rights in Abyei then they should not complain and cry to the world, they also rejected the American solution which recognizes Miseriya right in Abyei and that explains why Americans become sympathy with Miseriya and Dinka Nok are reluctant to keep them as nuetral mediator!

    Here is the link where Dinka Nok fled Abyei and left the city “mostly empty”!!!
    http://www.sudantribune.com/Scores-flee-Abyei-violence-as,38195

    Jalaby (Abo Jalabia wa Emma)

    Reply
  • Mapuor
    Mapuor

    UN rights expert to Sudan warns against fallout of Abyei tension, raises multiple concerns

    Are you people going to give cattle keepers all over Africa the to traverse & encroach onto their nieghbours territories cutting down trees,raping,looting & keeping insulting local people as slaves.Why did the GoSS removed Dinka Bor from Western Equatoria which was the only source of thie livelihood.Why did Lakes authorities stop Dinka Agar from grazing their cattle in Western Equatoria.We should have one way of solving our problems.Messyeria should not be given the right to kill the people of Abiei on grounds that their cattle are more importatnt than the Ngok Dinkas livelihoods.If their land is too small to carry their cattle,two things should be done;one,force them to destock & take to other useful enterprises.Two,reduce vetrinary services so that nature do destocking as it used to be.Take it from me,Dinka cattle have now reached uncontrollable limits,Dinka may soon be encroachiing on their neighbours territories including Messyeria.

    Reply
  • Historical Boy!
    Historical Boy!

    UN rights expert to Sudan warns against fallout of Abyei tension, raises multiple concerns
    Those coward offsprings of Deng Kuol will always flee like deers and leave Abyei land empty.

    My people South Sudanese,

    Our security organs are sleeping if the papers are not fake ones.

    I do have difficulty trusting Pagan Amum because this man loves bad news and he is not a good negotiator. He is quick to mobilize emotions whenever he is being cornered by smart negotiators from the other side of the table.

    They usually complain of Khartoum taking arms to the South to arm militias. How do the arms get to the South under your watchful eyes and hears?

    Shame on Majak Agot and Gier Chuang,

    How did this happen two years back without your knowledge. Please stop being mere pretenders, but who do not know what they are doing.

    I was laughing at Alaak from SPLM talking on TV last night that the SPLM secretariat was organizing a workshop on economy so that it could advise the government.

    When did SPLM secretariat have academicians or economists a part from the only Dr. Ann Itto, who is already in government?

    Or does Dr. Ann Itto want to gang up support from her small island of SPLM secretariat so that she gets a lion’s share in the 2011 budget?

    Are those semi-illiterates like Alaak collecting economic documents from foreign hired economists and call it their work to advise the government on?

    Oh, people, be sincere!

    Now back to Pagan Amum’s old findings. It is shamefully clear that this government is run mostly by idiots. They make me feel ashamed as a South Sudanese when reading expression of their incompetence and idiocy to the whole world.

    Oh, God, what lunatics are these!

    Look, Pagan Amum is talking of documents implemented by Khartoum since 2009. Now he shamelessly thinks he has made a fresh finding.

    Pagan, give me a break. Khartoum already collected your SPLM phone numbers since 2009 (two years ago). You have already been listened to during your conversations. So, why make noise about it now?

    Why crying over already spilled milk?

    Oh, my God. Pagan was even proud that the so-called South Sudan intelligence made the finding two years later. What a shame!

    Let me tell you this, if the government of South Sudan’s parliament were to be a real one, those leaders in charge of security organs in the South would have been summoned and fired for not doing their work.

    What was Majak Agot doing in the National Security as the deputy when his boss was ordering for collection of SPLM phone numbers? Where was Gier Chuang?

    Oh, my God, we running an incompetent government!!!

    Even to talk about it two years later after deep sleep is a big shame and shows to the world that our security organs are just eating, drinking, sexing, sleeping and doing what else far from making sure we are safe.

    What Pagan is now doing will only harm his Shilluk kingdom. There could be a plot to finish the Shilluk visibility in the government by setting them against each other.

    And this can include Pagan and his rival Lam, without any favor. We have only Lam Akol, Pagan Amum, Oyai Deng Ajak and Peter Adwok Nyaba as the most senior leaders of Shilluk. Now they will dwindle through feasting over each other.

    I watched Simon Kun Puoch on TV last night. He was warning the Shilluk (Chollo) community in particular not to rebel.

    I also heard that Dinka communities in Malakal were pushing Nuer communities to organize a joint attack on Shilluk communities, but the Nuer are refusing.

    Do you see how some people want to turn the war with rebels into a means to settle tribal scores?

    People in South Sudan do not know yet the difference between a rebel and the community he or she comes from.

    Well, God knows when the time for evil doers shall come to an end in South Sudan…and may be sooner than later.

    The coming Ngundeng’s storm shall determine when and how….

    Reply
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.