South Sudan/Sudan (Abyei)

The United Nations peacekeeping force in the oil-rich Abyei area, which is contested by South Sudan and Sudan, has completed its first verification mission to make sure that troops from both Governments pull out of the demilitarized border zone.

In a letter issued ahead of next week’s South Sudan ruling party (SPLA) political bureau meeting, members of the Abyei community expressed deep concerns over the manner in which UNISFA was handling security in the disputed region.

South Sudan on Tuesday said it would respect decisions taken by natives of the oil-producing region of Abyei, if the Sudanese government continues derailing efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the area, as proposed by the African Union.

South Sudan does not have plans to allow the United Nations to administer the fertile oil-producing border region of Abyei, which is also claimed by the government of neighbouring Sudan, a senior official said Tuesday.

The Sudanese government on Sunday expressed confidence that its dispute with South Sudan over the border region of Abyei will not make it to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Misseriya leaders said they are decided to settle in Abyei during this year to participate in the referendum over the future of the area which is claimed by Sudan and South Sudan. (A) leading tribal figure told reporters in Khartoum … that it is a crucial step to have the upper hand in the area and to avoid Abyei’s annexation to South Sudan.

The formation of the joint interim administration in the disputed Abyei region will depend on whether the forthcoming presidential summit makes a “successful breakthrough” on its final status, a South Sudanese official said Wednesday.

African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) decided to stick to its acceptance to a proposal aiming to hold a referendum next year in Abyei, but did not refer it to the Un Security Council.

Sudan foreign minister warned that referring Abyei file to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will complicate the issue and will lead to a new conflict in the region.