Abyei CSOs Demand Formation Of Abyei Referendum Commission

7 July 2010 - (Abyei) – Civil society organizations in the oil-rich Abyei area are urging the presidency to urgently establish the specialized commission for the Abyei Referendum.

On Monday, civil society organizations organized a peaceful demonstration.

The head of the civil society organizations in Abyei, Doctor Raw Manyiel Raw spoke to SRS in Khartoum from Abyei on Tuesday.

[Dr. Raw Manyiel]: “On Monday at around six o’clock in the morning we led a peaceful procession in Abyei demanding our right which is the establishment of a referendum commission for the Abyei area. As it is known to all southern Sudanese and the people of Abyei in particular that the formation of the Abyei Referendum Commission has been delayed. It has not yet been formed so far and it was supposed to be established together with the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission. As such, we as civil society organizations decided to come out into the streets and demand from the presidency and its partners, and especially we urge President Omar al-Bashir to establish the Abyei Referendum Commission. All sectors of civil society in Abyei took part in that procession for example: the youth league, women, traditional leaders or chiefs, graduate associations, farmers, nomads, traders and religious leaders.”

Doctor Manyiel explains the contents of the memo which was presented to the United Nations Mission in Sudan on Monday.

[Dr. Raw Manyiel]: “The memo is made up of five points: The first point is the establishment of the referendum commission for Abyei area as soon as possible. Secondly, the conduct of elections in the Abyei area. Thirdly, the complete withdrawal of militias and Sudan Armed Forces soldiers from Abyei territory. Fourthly, urgent demarcation of the Abyei boundary on the ground, based on the ruling of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration. Fifthly, we are demanding for compensation to all the civilians who were affected by the May 2008 clashes in Abyei.”

That was the head of Abyei civil society organizations, Doctor Raw Manyiel Raw talking to SRS from Abyei on Tuesday.