Human rights organisation calls for UN to improve security for Abyei’s displaced

By Toby Collins

December 19, 2011 (LONDON) - Amnesty International (AI) is calling upon the United Nations to provide a secure environment for people displaced by the conflict in Abyei.

In a new report titled "Destruction and Desolation in Abyei" released on Monday the rights group states that more than 100,000 people were displaced by the violence in May 2011 and are prevented from returning to their homes due to the prevalence of armed militias and landmines.

"The Sudanese Army and allied militia have driven virtually the entire population out of Abyei and burned down their homes so as to prevent their return," said Donatella Rovera, AI’s senior crisis response adviser.

Amnesty describes the UN’s response to the initial outbreak of violence in Abyei as failing "to take any meaningful action to prevent the attacks".

It said former UN Mission is South Sudan personnel decided to not engage with Khartoum’s forces because they were better equipped.

Rovera, who visited Abyei in November, described a town populated by the UN and soldiers where everything of value has been looted,,including the property of international organisations.

The rights group calls upon the UN to investigate the events in Abyei after the seizure of the area by the Sudanese army on 21 May 2011 and to release the information it has amassed thus far; the number of dead, injured and missing remains unclear.

The humanitarian situation for the the displaced people, in the makeshift camps is described as “dire” by AI.

The return of Abyei’s residents has been further hampered by the absence of an international humanitarian organisation presence, due to security concerns. This presence will be crucial for returnees who need assistance rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.

Rovera said the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei must learn from the mistakes of their predecessors and fully implement their mandate to protect civilians

The status of Abyei, which is claimed by both North and South Sudan, was to be decided in a referendum which has been indefinitely delayed. One of the sticking points has been the eligibility to vote of members of the semi-nomadic Misseriya ethnic group, who a traditionally aligned with Khartoum.

(ST)


(2011-12-20/SudanTribune)