AU Commission Chief Dr. Jean Ping To Mediate On Abyei Issue

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, AUC Dr. Jean Ping who is currently visiting Sudan, will meet with the Government of Sudan and South Sudan officials, in Khartoum and Juba, respectively in an effort to resolve CPA and Abyei issue.

Dr. Ping’s visit is to encourage the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, CPA to overcome the current difficulties in Abyei through dialogue and successfully conclude the negotiations on the outstanding aspects of the peace deal and the post – referendum arrangement.

Ping travelled yesterday to El Fasher, North Darfur, to meet with the senior leadership of African Union – United Nations in Darfur (UNAMID) and attend the opening ceremony of the 8th session of Committee of Intelligence and security Services of Africa, CISA in Khartoum.

During the CISA meeting, Dr. Ping called on the CPA parties to negotiate and resolve the Abyei issue. “It would be appreciated if you would come up with initiatives that would help facilitate the Abyei situation and indeed all conflict situations in Africa,” Ping said in his written speech.

Prior to this trip, the AUC chairperson met with the Troika delegation composed of Special Envoys Princeton Lyman of United States, Michael Ryder of United Kingdom and Tom Vraalsen from Norway on Saturday in his office at the AUC Headquarter in Addis Ababa, according to the press release.

The meeting offered a good opportunity for an exchange of views between Dr. Ping and his interlocutors on the latest developments in Sudan with particular emphasis on the situation in Abyei’s oil rich area.

Ping affirmed to discuss with the leadership in Khartoum and Juba on ways to de-escalate the tension in Abyei area.

Dr. Ping further expressed his appreciation and full support for the crucial role being played by the AU High-Level Implementation Panel for Sudan, AUHIP.

The meeting between the Chairperson and the Sudan Troika delegation also reviewed the situation in Darfur and emphasised the importance of reaching an inclusive and comprehensive solution, based on a positive outcome of Doha peace talks and the commitment of the Darfur Political process, DPP to be held in Darfur in the coming weeks.

The Chairperson informed the visiting delegation that he will receive a briefing on 9th June 2011, from the Darfur peace mediators on the outcome of the all Darfur stakeholders’ conference which recently adopted, in Doha a framework document for peace in Darfur.

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