WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, issued the following statement in response to the clashes in Sudan in the disputed region of Abyei. Violence began last Thursday with an attack on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and has escalated into ongoing confrontations between troops from the North and South, which threatens to escalate into civil war in advance of Southern Sudan’s independence.
“The recent attack and subsequent violence in Abyei represents an alarming breach of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and poses serious consequences for the proposed normalization of relations between the United States and Sudan. The offensive has caused the massive displacement of civilians and raises deeply troubling concerns regarding the intentions of senior government officials in Khartoum in advance of the South’s independence in July.
“I condemn the attack by Southern forces on the combined United Nations-Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) convoy on May 19 and join the White House and Chairman Kerry in calling for the cessation of all offensive operations in Abyei and the withdrawal of SAF forces from the region. The Abyei administration must be immediately reestablished, and peaceful talks regarding its future status should resume without delay.
“This is a critical moment and test of leadership for Sudan, which has made great strides toward preparing for independence of the South. I urge both sides to negotiate a peaceful resolution to this conflict that will avert a further escalation of violence and pave the way for a political settlement on the future status of Abyei.”
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