South Sudan army may have to return to Abyei if the international community does not have enough leverage over Khartoum to remove its forces from the region following a UN ultimatum.
The warning comes from Luka Biong, a member of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee.The UN Security Council passing on May 2 Resolution 2046 calling for the √É’redeployment, within no more than two weeks of all Sudanese and South Sudanese forces out of the Abyei Area.’ The period expired today.
Dr Biong told the press today that South Sudan withdrew 700 police officers from Abyei on May 10, but SAF, the Sudan Armed Forces, still keeps 300 to 400 military in the area.
He added that either the international community forces Khartoum to withdraw its forces from Abyei or South Sudan has to redeploy its force into the region to defend the Dinka Ngok from SAF presence.
Dr Biong said the withdrawal of South Sudan police left a law and order gap and some Miseriya outlaws took the opportunity to steal about 700 cattle from Dinka Ngok herders.
Edward Lino, the other representative of South Sudan in the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee, said Ethiopian peacekeepers arrested a notorious Miseriya bandit named Jedid.
He said people are urging the UN to take Mr Jedid to The Hague to be tried in the International Criminal Court.