PRESS RELEASE

The Chairperson meets with (AUHLIP) Team and discusses the
Situation in Abyei

Addis Ababa, 8June 2011: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Jean Ping, met in his office at the AUC Headquarters today, 8 June 2011, with members of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), namely former President of South Africa and Chair of the Panel, Mr.Thabo Mbeki and the former Head of State of Nigeria, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar,.

During this meeting, Chairperson Ping briefed the members of the Panel about his recent visit to Sudan, particularly the encouraging outcome of his deliberations in Khartoum and Juba with both President Omar Hassan Al- Bashir and Vice President and President of the Government of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who agreed to seek peaceful solutions to the current crisis in Abyei, with the facilitation of the AUHIP.

The Chairperson and the members of the Panel also exchanged views on the next practical steps to be taken in order to de-escalate the tension in Abyei and to address the other pending issues between the parties to the CPA.

The meeting further discussed other subjects of mutual interest including the situation in Darfur and emphasised the importance of reaching an inclusive and comprehensive agreement under the auspices of the Panel.

It is to be recalled that the main objective of the Chairperson’s visit to Sudan was to urge the parties to the CPA to overcome the current difficulties in Abyei through dialogue and successfully conclude the negotiations on the remaining outstanding issues and finalize the post-referendum arrangements.

END