Südsudan/Sudan (Abyei)

The Security Council today extended until 31 May 2013 the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force for Abyei, an area contested by South Sudan and Sudan.

South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation says it is “high time” the international community “takes bold decision to ensure that recommendations of the African Union High Implementation Panel“ with regards to the dispute over the future of the contested Abyei region.

Sudanese Vice-President announced the rejection of a decision by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) calling to settle the conflict during six weeks or to refer a proposal of the mediation to the Security Council if they fail to reach a compromise.

The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) on Wednesday unanimously endorsed an initial proposal prepared by the mediation seeking to settle a conflict over the ownership of Abyei, between South Sudan and Sudan.

The UN’s assistant secretary general for peacekeeping operations Edmond Mulet warned on Saturday that isolating Al-Misseriya and Dinka Ngok tribes from any potential settlement of Abyei dispute between Sudan and South Sudan could lead to renewed confrontations.

Foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday indicated Sudan’s preference for a political agreement over the disputed Abyei’s area, stressing that a referendum might bring war between the two sides.

The African Union mediation proposed to organise a referendum in October 2013 in the disputed Abyei area but said the parties have to agree on a number of measures to restore confidence and guarantee customary rights of the Misseriya herders.

The African Union mediation proposed to organise a referendum in October 2013 in the disputed Abyei area but said the parties have to agree on a number of measures to restore confidence and guarantee customary rights of the Misseriya herders.

SudanХs government has back racked from its initial decision to send a steering committee to Abyei, putting an end to recent tensions over the administrative status of the contested area.

Sudan’s government has back racked from its initial decision to send a steering committee to Abyei, putting an end to recent tensions over the administrative status of the contested area.