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STATEMENTS: International Court Decision on Abyei, Sudan

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STATEMENTS: International Court Decision on Abyei, Sudan

Posted by Enough Team on July 22, 2009

Sudan Coalition Partners

 

Contact
Eileen White Read, 202.741.6376
[email protected]
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued a decision today on the boundary of Abyei – an oil-rich and contested region along the disputed internal border between the northern and southern regions of Sudan.
 
The following statements regarding the decision by the Court’s Abyei Arbitration Tribunal were issued by The Enough Project at the Center for American Progress, the Save Darfur Coalition, and the Genocide Intervention Network:
 
Enough Project Co-founder John Prendergast noted, “The international community’s track record on Abyei is wildly mixed. After having negotiated the provisions of the peace deal, no one was willing to enforce it when the National Congress Party decided not to accept the previous ruling. It is time to rectify that mistake and create consequences for either party if they undermine implementation."
 
Jerry Fowler, President of the Save Darfur Coalition, added, “We are encouraged that the U.S. Special Envoy has traveled to Abyei for today’s announcement, but sustained pressure from the United States and others will be critical to ensuring that both sides adhere to their commitments on Abyei and other Comprehensive Peace Agreement benchmarks. As in Darfur, the potential for violence in Abyei remains significant, so we call upon the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan, UNMIS, to strengthen its presence in Abyei and take all necessary measures to protect civilians.”
 
Sam Bell, Executive Director of the Genocide Intervention Network, commented, “With even small provocations on the ground in Abyei, the situation could erode quite quickly. International leadership is essential to making sure that does not happen. All parties must be held accountable for their actions, and for those of their proxies.”    
 
 
For more information, read Enough’s strategy paper, Abyei: Sudan’s Next Test.
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About the coalition: The Save Darfur Coalition – an alliance of more than 180 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations – raises public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and mobilizes a unified response to the atrocities that threaten the lives of people throughout the Darfur region. The coalition's member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Darfur. For more information on the coalition, please visit www.SaveDarfur.org.
 
Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, Enough focuses on crises in Sudan, Chad, eastern Congo, northern Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe. Enough's strategy papers and briefings provide sharp field analysis and targeted policy recommendations based on a "3P" crisis response strategy: promoting durable peace, providing civilian protection, and punishing perpetrators of atrocities. Enough works with concerned citizens, advocates, and policy makers to prevent, mitigate, and resolve these crises. Visit www.enoughproject.org.
 
About Genocide Intervention Network – Genocide Intervention Network is working to build the first permanent anti-genocide constituency, mobilizing the political will to stop genocide when it occurs. Accessible online at www.GenocideIntervention.net, Genocide Intervention Network empowers individuals with the tools to stop genocide. Visit www.genocideintervention.net.