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Office of the Chairman,
Khartoum

For Immediate Release
3 June 2009

PRESS RELEASE
AEC Plenary Meeting in Juba and Meeting with Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardiit

The Assessment and Evaluation Commission, the AEC, visited Juba on 3 June.  They had discussions with H.E. the First Vice President and President of the Government of Southern Sudan Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardiit.  They subsequently held the regular monthly meeting of the Commission at the AEC office in Juba.  The agenda covered the coming elections in Sudan, the census, border demarcation and progress on legislation passage of which is required before the elections. The agenda also covered Abyei.  On the latter issue the Commission agreed the following press statement:

The Assessment and Evaluation Commission notes with satisfaction the parties' resort to, and engagement with, the Permanent Court of Arbitration to resolve their dispute in respect of Abyei peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.  The Commission further notes that the arbitration tribunal is likely to conclude its work in the coming weeks and warmly welcomes the commitments made by the parties during the arbitration process to accept the tribunal's decision as final and binding.  It stresses the importance of the parties working together to ensure that all aspects of the Abyei issue are addressed in a timely fashion and in line with the Abyei Protocol and Roadmap and the decision of the tribunal, and that the rights of persons and communities concerned are fully respected. The Commission will continue to work closely with the parties to the same end.

End of statement