Abyei Forum Gives Ultimatum For The Formation Of Abyei Commission

18 November 2010 – (Juba) – A two day conference on the urgent popular demand for implementation of the Abyei referendum, which ended on Wednesday, came out with a resolution that the Abyei referendum commission must be formed by the 30th of November.

The SPLM Secretary for Abyei area Chol Changat, spoke to SRS from Juba on Thursday.

He explains the two major resolutions that were reached during the conference.

[Chol Changat]: “What is important in this resolution is that the people of Abyei would like to get the Abyei Referendum Commission formed by the presidency and to immediately command for the registration of the residents of Abyei not later than 30th of November. And if not, if these two parties fail the people of Abyei have the right to exercise their self-determination as a frame under the principle of international law, Sudan national interim constitution 2005. I think this is important for the people of Abyei to make this exercise. The other thing also is, there is a warning informing the NCP and president Bashir that the unconstitutional plan for them to abort the Abyei referendum will mean that the Misseriya nomads will not enjoy free access to graze and water in Abyei area as from this year.”

Changat further said that the less than two weeks time left before the end of November is enough time if only President Bashir has the will.

[Chol Changat]: “As for the formation, President Bashir has the will to make it. He can make it. And I mean the Abyei people have already formed a body on the ground for the work, simple. And again it is sizable, Abyei is a small area and it could also be easy, the registration. But Bashir doesn’t want to do it that is it. The experts are there, people who are experienced are there, it’s a matter of appointing the chair and work is done. The nine communities would help in delivering the materials. The structure is already done and people are eager. To me it’s just a matter of two weeks and everything is finished. The only challenge is what is the will of president Bashir? Bashir would know this. If he would like to do it then he would do it.”

The 1st Vice President of the republic Salva Kiir Mayardit, who opened the conference on Monday, said that Abyei belongs to the nine Dinka Ng’ok tribes.