COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

 

Brussels, 29 May 2008

10078/1/08 REV 1 (Presse 155)

P 069/08

(OR. en)

 

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the conflict in Abyei, Sudan

 

The European Union is greatly concerned about the recent escalation of violence in Abyei

in Sudan. If not urgently resolved, this latest crisis could pose a serious threat to the

implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

The European Union calls upon the partners in the Sudanese Government of National

Unity to immediately cease all hostilities, to respect the ceasefire agreed upon and secure

the full implementation of the security arrangements set out in the CPA. The respective

forces should be withdrawn and the Joint Integrated Units deployed in Abyei.

It is first and foremost the responsibility of the two parties to refrain from any armed

confrontation and seek a peaceful settlement of their dispute in accordance with the

provisions of the CPA. The European Union stands ready to support the parties in this

endeavour in which they should make full use of the CPA mandated Assessment and

Evaluation Commission.

10078/1/08 REV 1 (Presse 155) 2

EN

The violent clashes in Abyei have already caused the displacement of many thousands of

civilians and created a serious humanitarian crisis in the area. It is a clear responsibility of

both sides to protect the civilian population and respect full and unhindered access for the

humanitarian actors to reach the people in need.

The EU calls upon both parties to fully cooperate with UNMIS monitoring and verification

in the Abyei region, and to ensure that its staff have full and unhindered access to all areas

in, and neighbouring to, Abyei.