North and South must calm tensions in Abyei

The confrontation between the North Sudan army and that of South Sudan in Abyei district bodes ill for peace in the region ahead of the international recognition of the independence of the South in July.

It is peace that was extracted at a terrible price through 22 years of war and blood.

Both the UN and the European Union have joined the chorus of voices urging calm and calling on President Omar al-Bashir to withdraw his troops from the oil-rich district that was granted special status under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) the two sides signed to end one of Africa’s longest-running civil wars.

Given previous aftermaths of such confrontations, there is real fear that those who will feel the brunt of the military crackdown are women and children.

President al-Bashir’s government is blaming South Sudan’s army for provoking the confrontation "by trying to enforce its presence in Abyei," allegations dismissed by the SPLM-led government, which has called the actions of Khartoum’s military "an illiegal invasion" that "breaks all the peace agreements".

Regardless of who is at fault, both sides need to withdraw from the brink and return to the status quo that existed prior to the flare-up. As things stand, the weght of the evidence points to Khartoum’s government as aggressor and instigator.

Raising tensions

Since January, residents of Abyei have been denied a chance to vote on whether they wish to become part of the new South Sudan state, or remain a province of the North. The recent fighting has only increased tensions in an area where the population is divided by loyalties and an ancient land dispute.

At some point, the UN will have to crack the whip and push for a plebiscite so as to free the region from being a pawn of both North and South interests.

However, for now, calm must be restored, and trust between the two former enemies regained, if peace is to have a chance. The alternative is unacceptable.