The Special Representative Secretary General for Sudan, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, today welcomed the withdrawal of the final remaining SAF and SPLA forces from the Abyei Roadmap Area. With this move, the parties have left the local Joint Integrated Units as the only military force in Abyei.
Mr Qazi emphasized his hope that the progress made on this issue will help pave the way for other advances in implementing the Roadmap, such as the funding of the Abyei Area Administration. "This shows how much the parties can do when they work together, as partners," he said. "This kind of cooperation can serve as a model as we tackle the remaining challenges ahead."
Mr. Qazi also commended the parties for working hard to keep the Abyei arbitration process on schedule, noting that this further displayed the potential for progress and cooperation with regard to peacefully implementing all the benchmarks and components of the CPA.

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