United Nations Security Council Arrives In Wau, Sudan

A high profile of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) led by the US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice arrived in Wau yesterday for peace talks with the Abyei area community leaders.

The delegation included the US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, Russian ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin and French ambassador to the UN Gerard Araud.
The UNSC visit to Wau follows the recent attack of Sudan Arm Forces on Abyei over the weekend.

The delegation was scheduled to have a unilateral discussion with the Abyei area community leaders at the UN compound in Wau yesterday.

Just a few minutes after the arrival of the UNSC in Wau airstrip, the State Governor Rizik Zackaria Hussan welcomed the United Nations Security Council in Wau and called for peaceful solutions to Abyei disputes.

“For peace coexistence in Abyei, we are asking for the immediate withdrawal of SAF forces within Abyei town,” said Governor.

While speaking to the media, an unidentified Abyei community leader told the media that they, the Sudan Government, the NCP need to respect the 2008 Court Arbitration role on Abyei.

In a closed door meeting, Rice said that the UN could use different tools to resolve the crisis in the ghost town of Abyei.

Members of the Security Council called on the Sudan government under President Omar al Bashir to halt its military operation and to withdraw its forces immediately from Abyei town.

The UN statement issued by the Council stated that, the attack was not only a serious breach of agreement between the two parties of SPLM/A & NCP, but also a criminal act attempted on the United Nations Mission and its personnel in Abyei town.

After the meeting in Wau, the UNSC is expected to head to Juba for a closed door meeting with the GOSS president Salva Kiir and other Southern officials on the Abyei solution.

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