TRIBAL VIOLENCE IN SOUTHERN SUDAN UNDERMINES PEACE AGREEMENT, UN REPORTS

Escalating inter-tribal violence in Southern Sudan is jeopardizing the stability of the entire country, and key milestones in implementing the peace pact that ended the long-running north-south civil war are at risk, the United Nations warned today.

In his latest report on the work of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the security situation in the south has deteriorated since April, with long-simmering disputes sparking "alarming waves of violence [and] at times triggering vicious cycles of attack."

At least 200 civilians have been killed in the clashes, as well as dozens of members of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), the former southern rebel group that signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 to end the civil war.

Mr. Ban said the future of the CPA depends largely on the relationship between the SPLA and the National Congress Party (NCP), which signed the agreement and formed a Government of National Unity in Khartoum.

"Their action or inaction in the coming months will determine whether the outstanding benchmarks," such as elections scheduled for next year and a subsequent referendum that could result in the secession of southern Sudan, can be upheld.

He urged both sides to "take steps to engage in meaningful dialogue and reach agreement on outstanding issues."

One of those issues is the status of Abyei, an oil-rich area in the centre of the country that has been contested by north and south and was the scene of deadly clashes last year that forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration on Abyei is preparing to give its decision on the issue shortly, and in today's report, Mr. Ban said he welcomed the commitment by both sides to accept and peacefully implement whatever the court decides.

"This commitment would now have to be translated into requisite orders to the security apparatus on the ground and to the local leadership and communities who may feel disenfranchised by the arbitration decision.

"Crucially, the Abyei area needs a fully funded and functional civilian administration irrespective of the result of the arbitration and I urge the parties to take all steps needed to achieve this."

Next year's planned national elections are vital, the report noted, "for the process of democratic transformation throughout" the country and it stressed the importance of peaceful, transparent and credible polls.

Mr. Ban also welcomed recent joint efforts by the Government, the UN and its aid partners to reduce the most critical humanitarian gaps created by the expulsion in March of many international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

But he added that "current levels of assistance in some areas remain below the necessary standards and the humanitarian community remains watchful of the onset of the rainy season."
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