The legacy of dreams deferred and recurring violence in this region demands attention as we approach the latest in a series of proposed referendum dates in October 2013. As rhetoric from both sides escalates, developing solutions to this ongoing conflict will require taking a longer view of Abyei's history.;xNLx; ;xNLx;;xNLx;;xNLx;;xNLx;;xNLx;;xNLx;The timeline is color-coded, and identifies a variety of events including statements by the United Nations, African Union, United States, and the Enough Project. We also highlight violent incidents and key political developments. The wrench icon in the bottom right corner of the timeline allows you to filter the 170 stories on the timeline by each of the categories. Clicking on the wrench also allows you to search all of the entries and to customize the interface.
The government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army accept the proposal entitled "Principles of Agreement on Abyei" presented by US Special Envoy John Danforth.
In the CPA, the Sudan and the SPLM/A adopt an annex to the Abyei protocol outlining the rules of the composition of the Abyei Boundaries Commission.
The Security Council unanimously adopts resolution 1590 (2005), establishing the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) for an initial period of six months. The Mission will consist of up to 10,000 military personnel and an appropriate civilian component, including up to 715 civilian police personnel.
The ABC hears the presentations of the SPLM and Sudanese government delegations, then spends 6 days in the field collecting the testimonies of the Ngok Dinka, Misseriya, and the neighboring Dinka tribes.
After weeks of heated discussions over key cabinet posts, the Government of National Unity is sworn into office as envisioned by the January 2005 peace agreement that ended the country’s 21-year civil war.
The Abyei Boundaries Commission presents their report, which is immediately rejected by the Misseriya and President Bashir. He argues that the experts exceeded their mandate by using documents and information from beyond the 1905 period to determine the boundaries.
Sudanese Vice President John Garang, a former rebel leader who played a major role in the CPA process, dies along with 13 others when his helicopter crashes into a southern Sudan mountain range. Garang's death delays all the CPA implementations and forces Abyei off the agenda.
A convoy of South Sudan Defense Forces aligned to the SPLA is ambushed just north of Abyei. 20 people are killed and 30 are injured in the attack.
The UN Security Council unanimously decides to extend the UN Mission to Sudan until April 30, 2007, with the intention of extending it further.
The Government of South Sudan decides to withdraw its 19 ministers and deputy ministers from the Government of National Unity over frustrations that the NCP is not moving to implement many aspects of the CPA.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon voices concern over the SPLM's suspension of participation in the Government of National Unity. He urges the parties, particularly the NCP, “to urgently take the necessary steps to address the outstanding issues related to the implementation of the CPA.”
In an Activist Brief issued shortly after Enough is established, we argue that the NCP must be held accountable for its refusal to accept the ABC report and pressured to implement the CPA provisions related to Abyei.
After two and a half months of tough negotiations, the SPLM announces that it would return to the Government of National Unity following Christmas.
Clashes between the SPLA and the armed Misseriya militia kill 28 civilians and injure 13. The Misseriya militia claim they killed around 90 SPLA soldiers.
Military police arrest seven armed Misseriya nomads for alleged possession of firearms and suspicion of intent to carry out malicious acts. The next day, armed Misseriya unsuccessfully attempt to free those in custody, killing one SPLA soldier before fleeing the scene.
In a strategy paper comparing Abyei to Kashmir, John Prendergast and Roger Winter argue that urgent action is needed in the Abyei region to prevent an outbreak of violence. Otherwise, they warn that instability will disrupt the return of the displaced, impede the implementation of the CPA, and potentially derail the planned elections in 2009.
Fighting breaks out between soldiers from SAF Brigade 31 and the SPLA when their vehicles collide on the road from Debab to Abyei, and seven people, including Gal Deng Alek, the SPLA commissioner of Bien Nhom, are killed in the accident and the fighting that follows.
UN Special Envoy to Sudan, Ashraf Qazi, states that the situation in the Abyei area has not materially changed, with continued violence and lack of CPA implementation. Identifying Abyei as the "biggest stumbling block between the two partners," Qazi underscores defined borders as indispensable to curtailing the violence.
The SPLM temporary administration, headed by Edward Lino, is dispatched to Abyei to function until the permanent administration is appointed. Bashir's spokesman calls the action a "stark violation of the CPA" and "against the spirit of the partnership."
The US Charge d'Affaires, Alberto Fernandez, visits Abyei offering US mediation to resolve the crisis between the two partners.
NCP and SPLM agree to allow UN peacekeepers unhindered access inside Abyei.
Fighting between SPLA and Brigade 31 of the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, burns Abyei’s market and housing to the ground, displacing at least 90,000 people .
UNMIS evacuates humanitarian staff on the evening of May 14 but is making efforts to provide assistance to IDPs from Abyei and surrounding areas.
The NCP and SPLM adopt the Road Map for Return of IDPs and Implementation of Abyei Protocol.
The new Joint Integrated Unit, promised in the Road Map Agreement, arrives in Abyei. However, the withdrawal of SAF and SPLA forces has been delayed and is still incomplete.
In a Presidential Statement, the Security Council welcomes the establishment of the Road Map agreement and calls for its full implementation. Also requests Secretary General to initiate an investigation into the role played by UNMIS in the May violence, and what steps in the future may be taken.
A UN military observer and a SAF monitor are shot and wounded in Agok village, raising the specter of renewed violence.
Representatives from the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A agree to refer their dispute over Abyei's permanent boundaries to "final and binding arbitration" and ask for the "International Bureau of the PCA to act as the registry and provide administrative support" in accordance with the Agreement.
President Bashir appoints Arop Mayak Monytock of the SPLM as Chief Administrator of the interim Abyei Area Administration and Rahama Abdel-Rahman-Al-Nour of the NCP as Deputy Chief Administrator.
UN Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan and Head of UNMIS, Ashraf Qazi, rejects claims that UNMIS 'did nothing' during the May raiding and looting of Abyei town. Nonetheless, he calls for a reassessment of their mandate.
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy's visit to UNMIS in Abyei is his first since he was appointed. His arrival coincides with an attack by a group of about 40 to 60 armed men on an UNAMID convoy, which kills one peacekeeper.
SPLA withdraws its last remaining troops from Agok to Unity and Warrap States.
SAF withdraws from Diffra in accordance with the Abyei Road Map, however, the Petroleum Police remains in the area. The 31st Brigade redeploys in Meiram, Babanusa, and Heglig close by. The SAF continues to have a heavy presence along the border.
President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton name Air Force General Scott Gration as the U.S. Envoy to Sudan.
Despite the NCP and SPLM pledge that they will abide by the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and Envoy Gration's belief of a step towards mediation, Enough Advisor, Omer Ismail, warns the international community of falling yet again for Khartoum's tricks.
The US Department of State issues a statement calling on the parties to the CPA to be prepared to implement fully the Court's decision, to disseminate widely accurate information about the decision, and to take the necessary steps to eliminate opportunities for violence in the region.
Ashraf Qazi expresses concern over the presence of armed elements in Abyei. Reports of SPLA soldiers and Southern Sudan Police Service in Abyei violate the Abyei Roadmap Agreement, and their continued presence could escalate into violence.
The Enough Project releases a report outlining the potential reactions to the international arbitration decision along with an audio interview with one of the authors. The piece offers recommendations for raising awareness of the ruling to prevent violence.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration renders the Final Award in the Abyei Arbitration before 150 representatives of the Government of Sudan, the SPLM/A, witness states, and organizations, declaring the Abyei Boundary Commission had "exceeded its mandate."
Less than a week after accepting and agreeing to immediately begin implementing the legal ruling on the boundaries of Abyei, northern and southern Sudanese leaders begun trading accusations over control of the re-zoned oilfields and voting rights in the Abyei referendum.
SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum argues that it is not the right time for the United States to lift sanctions against Sudan. Before such an action is taken, he argues that there needs to be full implementation of the CPA and PCA decision on Abyei.
The NCP argues that members of the Misseriya tribes should be included in the referendum to decide Abyei's status. This move is seen as an attempt to appease the Misseriya constituency that has frequently allied itself with Khartoum's political and military interests.
The Sudan National Assembly endorses the Abyei Referendum Act amid protest from the Misseriya constituency. The Abyei Referendum Act states that the ABC should be solely responsible for determining voter eligibility.
At an all-Misseriya conference, members reiterate that they will not allow the return of land to Bahr al Ghazal, will prevent demarcation on the ground, and will increase settlements in Abyei in order to disrupt the referendum.
Local tensions flare in Abyei over the lack of progress on preparations for the Abyei referendum.
A coalition of NGOs, including Enough, release a report calling on the guarantors of the CPA to renew their focus and efforts towards helping Sudan implement the CPA and prevent further conflict, particularly the Abyei referendum.
A bipartisan group of representatives introduce H. Res. 1588, calling on the US to reinvigorate efforts to ensure peace and stability in Sudan.
Presidential Adviser on Security Affairs, Salah Gosh, says the ruling made by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) to redefine the boundaries of the oil-rich region of Abyei “did not solve the dispute and did not satisfy the needs of the two partners. The two partners must find new solutions."
Abyei Chief Administrator, Deng Arop Kuol, notes large numbers of Misseriya settling in the region. According to Arop, this is part of an organized movement to settle 25,000 families from the nomadic community in 20 locations north of Abyei town.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir addresses a delegation in Washington, emphasizing the "foot dragging" of their northern partners on remaining issues yet to be settled before January's referendums for both South Sudan and Abyei.
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