Boundary Demarcation – 2009
2009
International arbitration on Abyei continued its work. The GoS and SPLM submitted their counter memorials on 13 February 2009. The oral pleadings continued for six days from 18 April to 23 April 2009. The Tribunal rendered its final decision late in July 2009. “On 22 July 2009, the Abyei Arbitral Tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration rendered its decision in the Abyei dispute, finding that the Abyei Boundaries Commission (ABC) had exceeded its mandate in some locations, but it also upheld ABC recommendations in others. The Tribunal determined that the Abyei Area’s northern boundary lies along latitude 10°10′ North, its western boundary along longitude 27°50′ East, and its eastern boundary along longitude 29°00′ East. The SPLM, NCP, and senior Misseriya and Ngok-Dinka tribal leaders all publicly reaffirmed their commitment to accept the PCA decision as final and binding.”1 The border technical team, which comprised three from ruling national congress party, three from SPLM, two from international communities and four invited independent journalists arrived in the area on 10 September 2009.2 Nonetheless, the demarcation of border stalled and was not completed in 2009.