US Calls For Double Efforts on Abyei Dispute
The US Presidential Assistant and Senior Director at the National Security Council, Gayle Smith on Tuesday called on the stakeholders to double their efforts on the implementation of the Abyei Resolution. 16 May 2013 By Waakhe Simon Wudu JUBA, 16 May 2013 [Gurtong] - Ms. Smith who spoke to the media after she held closed-door talks with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in Juba described the killing of the Abyei Paramount Chief in the previous week a “tragic loss. “It underscores the urgency on the resolution in Abyei so that it will bring peace and stability to the people of there,” Smith said. She reiterated the US continues support both to both South Sudan and the Abyei matter. Abyei is scheduled to hold referendum in October this year in a bid to choose as to whether it remains as part of Sudan or South Sudan. Authorities have decried low will from key stakeholders; Sudan and South Sudan on ensuring the exercise is peacefully conducted. In reality, according to the 2005 peace CPA deal, Abyei would have held referendum before the South Sudan’s referendum was held in 2005. But Khartoum could not allow the exercise to be carried out. Currently under the governance of UN peacekeepers, UNISFA, the oily disputed region is in a state of agony according to locals on ground, a situation that led to the killing of the Paramount Chief Deng Kuol Deng. Following the attack by the Sudanese army, trauma and insecurity including need for basic services remained critical. Ms. Smith is also the Co-Chair of the US’ Enough Project which works towards ending genocide and crimes against humanity and also plays a security monitoring role along the Sudan and South Sudan borders. Ms. Smith was impressive with progress made by South Sudan on development and building the nation since independence. Describing the challenge of the nation building as a “huge task” she said “we wish the people of South Sudan a success and we will continue to work with you as you face both opportunities and challenges.” Posted in: Home, Foreign Relations -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
