South Sudan/Sudan (Abyei)

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.

Days before the resumption of talks on the outstanding issues, Khartoum has accused Juba of unilaterally appointing a new administration in Abyei, and decided to send a steering committee too in the disputed area.

Days before the resumption of talks on the outstanding issues, Khartoum has accused Juba of unilaterally appointing a new administration in Abyei, and decided to send a steering committee too in the disputed area.

(T)he deal signed on Saturday in Abyei town by officials representing Sudan and South Sudan, represents further progress towards resolving the thorny issue. As demanded in a UN Security Council resolution in May both sides pulled their armed forces out of the area.

(T)he deal signed on Saturday in Abyei town by officials representing Sudan and South Sudan, represents further progress towards resolving the thorny issue. As demanded in a UN Security Council resolution in May both sides pulled their armed forces out of the area.

Thabo Mbeki, head of the African Union (AU) panel mediating talks between Sudan and South Sudan, is preparing a draft comprehensive agreement on all outstanding issues between the two neighbor as well as another one for Khartoum and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N).