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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tensions are high throughout Sudan as the country awaits a ruling from the international court of arbitration regarding the boundaries of the oil-rich region of Abyei. The area has been a hot point of contention between the north and south since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in January 2005.
The Abyei Arbitration Tribunal will rule on whether the original Abyei Border Commission (ABC), which drew up the current district boundaries, exceeded its mandate. If it rules in favor of the ABC, the present border line will stand. If not, the tribunal will decide where the border will lie.
The boundary dispute could become a catalyst to the CPA’s demise as Abyei will hold a referendum in 2011 on whether to retain special status within north Sudan or join the south where a vote will be held on independence. Khartoum is trying to hold on with all its might to the country’s oilfields. Many in the south are expecting a majority “Yes” vote on the call for independence.
The UN, in anticipation of violence at the tribunal’s decision, has deployed extra peacekeepers on the border.
While UN special representative Ashraf Qazi believes both sides will abide by the peace agreement, the reinforcements were needed as a precaution although peacekeepers, by UN regulations, are not allowed to engage in civil violence occurring in a country in order to protect the country’s national sovereignty. In addition, UN peacekeepers have previously come under fire by rebels in the Sudan.
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