South Sudan/Sudan (Abyei)

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.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has urged Sudan and South Sudan to reach a negotiated solution on the final status of Abyei, days before the end of an ultimatum posed by the African Union to the two parties.

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.