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Office of the Chairman,
Khartoum

For Immediate Release
20 July 2009

PRESS STATEMENT
Abyei Arbitration Award

The Assessment and Evaluation Commission has been following developments with regard to Abyei closely in recent weeks. After its meeting in Juba on 3 June the AEC issued a statement warmly welcoming the commitments made by the parties to accept the tribunal's decision as final and binding and drawing attention to the importance of ensuring that the rights of persons and communities concerned in the area are fully respected whatever the outcome. Commission staff visited Abyei from 1 to 3 July. The Commission discussed the issue again at length at its meeting in Khartoum on 14 July.

The Chairman said that, at the invitation of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, he will be in The Hague on 22 July to attend the rendering of the final award by the tribunal. The Coordinator of the AEC Three Areas Working Group, Ambassador Norbert Braakhuis of the Netherlands, will be in Abyei at the same time with U.S. Special Envoy Gen. Scott Gration and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General. A visit to the area by the AEC Working Group is envisaged in the period following the ruling to monitor progress.

In remarks to the press before departure the Chairman welcomed the action taken by the parties to resolve their dispute in respect of Abyei peacefully through resort to the Permanent Court of Arbitration. He underlined the importance of respect for the security arrangements in place in the area in the coming period, and looked forward to final settlement of the Abyei issue and full implementation of the Abyei protocol following the tribunal's decision.

For further information please contact Peter Ellens (mobile: 00249912140679) or, on 22 July in The Hague, Simon Giverin (mobile: 00249912506273).

End of statement