FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS:

Ashai Arop Bagat, Abyei Community 202.714.2519, ashaiarop25@yahoo.com Dr. Luka Biong, Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School 202.644.0235, lukabiong@kushworld.org

ABYEI COMMUNITY URGES AU AND UN TO UPHOLD ITS RIGHT TO VOTE

Letter Asks the AUPSC to Bypass Sudan Roadblocks and to Implement Delayed Abyei Referendum CAMBRIDGE, MA August 22, 2013 On Tuesday, an urgent appeal was sent from the Abyei Community to H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, for the AU and UN to conduct the Abyei Referendum in October 2013 as stipulated in the AUHIP September 21, 2012 Proposal on the Final Status of the Abyei Area. (Full text of the letter below.) Originally, the Abyei Referendum was scheduled to take place simultaneously with the Southern Sudan referendum; however, it was postponed due to disagreements between the North and South regarding voter eligibility and the chair of the Abyei Referendum Commission. Abyei, a small region on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, was transferred to the North by the British in 1905 for protection against slave raids. Over time, the primary residents of Abyei, the Ngok Dinka, advocated for the regions return to the South. The referendum allows eligible voters to decide whether Abyei will be located in Sudan or South Sudan, therefore partially defining the border between the two countries. The letter states that the referendum is a right of the Ngok Dinka community and other eligible Sudanese and South Sudanese residing in the area that was provided by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and is not contingent upon approval of or implementation by either government. The letter highlights the necessary pieces that are in place for the international community to implement a successful referendum, i.e. the AUs mandate according to its Constitutive Act, border demarcation of Abyei by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, an effective security force by UNISFA, and the current return of Ngok Dinka to ensure community participation. The letter concludes by highlighting the benefits of the referendum for the permanent and temporary residents of Abyei and it underscores the importance of the referendum in building peace in and between Sudan and South Sudan. While Abyeis size is relatively small, it does play a significant role in shaping the future of Sudan, South Sudan and the region. It has been said that if the two countries return to war, the first bullets will be fired in Abyei.

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The Abyei Referendum 2013 is organized by members of the Abyei Community who are living in Abyei, Sudan, South Sudan and the Diaspora.

FULL TEXT OF LETTER August 20, 2013

H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Chairperson African Union Peace and Security Council P.O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Dear H.E. Dr. Zuma, As members of the Abyei Community, we are appealing to your Excellency and to the African Union Peace and Security Council to conduct the Abyei Referendum in October 2013 as stipulated in the AUHIP September 21, 2012 Proposal on the Final Status of the Abyei Area. The Referendum is being used as a pawn in a dangerous game between Sudan and South Sudan as the two countries negotiate outstanding CPA issues. The Abyei Referendum, however, is a right of the Ngok Dinka community and other eligible Sudanese that was provided by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and is not contingent upon approval of or implementation by either government. Fortunately, the necessary pieces are in place for the African Union and the United Nations to enforce the AUHIP Proposal and to carry out the Referendum. Mandate In accordance with the African Unions right to intervene in the affairs of Member States with respect to grave circumstance, such as war crimes committed in Abyei in 2008 and 2011 and that continue to be a threat if the Referendum is postponed, the AUPSC announced on October 24, 2012 that if Sudan and South Sudan fail to agree, the Council will endorse the 21 September 2012 Proposal as final and binding and would seek the endorsement by the UN Security Council. Border Demarcation On July 22, 2009, the Permanent Court of Arbitration produced an Award that identified the boundaries of Abyei, which is binding on Sudan and South Sudan by the terms of the Arbitration Agreement and by the force of international law. Security On May 29, 2013, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of UNISFA until November 30, 2013 and it increased the number of active troops. UNISFA has proven to be a disciplined and effective peacekeeping force with significant engagement among the communities in Abyei and therefore has the ability and authority to facilitate a peaceful referendum. Participation Experts indicate that with security in place, organization of the Referendum in October is possible. In anticipation of the Referendum, we are already seeing thousands of displaced members of the Abyei Community return to the area.

The Abyei Community is fully aware of backtracking and inconsistencies that have taken place since September 21, 2012; however we believe the AUPSC can correct its course for the sake of its own credibility, to help establish peace between Sudan and South Sudan and to benefit all permanent and temporary residents of Abyei. Although not always fully understood (especially by community members manipulated by outside forces), the September 21st Proposal provides tremendous benefits for the traditional communities of Abyei, who have negotiated a peaceful co-existence for centuries. Representation The Abyei Area Referendum Commission will include two members from each country (South Sudan and Sudan), and will be chaired by a neutral person of international stature appointed by the African Union. Protection of Rights Regardless of the outcome of the Referendum, both communities will begin again to enjoy good neighborly, civil, political, social and economic relations. Access and Security A soft border between Sudan and South Sudan in Abyei will allow the flow of goods and services in addition to the ongoing and protected traditional seasonal migration of livestock. In addition, an Indemnity Fund will be established to compensate for the loss of livelihood or income due to violations. Economic Development and Revenue Sharing A Common Economic Development Zone will be created to accelerate social and economic development that will benefit Abyei and the surrounding areas.

The Abyei Community urges the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council to conduct the Abyei referendum in October 2013 in the event the government of Sudan reneges on the conduct of the referendum as agreed. The worthy vision of the African Union is an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. The AUHIP September 21st Proposal lives up to that vision. It is an African solution for a long-standing African problem. Some describe the failure to implement the Abyei Protocol as a rotting tooth that left untreated has and will spread infection everywhere. The pieces are in place for a successful referendum and the benefits are great. Let 2013 be the year the status of Abyei is finally decided. Sincerely and respectfully,

The Abyei Community cc: The United Nations Secretary General

The United Nations Security Council The African Union AUHIP Chairperson IGAD The European Union The League of Arab States