South Sudan/Sudan (Abyei)

The top United Nations peacekeeping official today reported that more than 500 troops with the new UN mission in the disputed Abyei area of Sudan have been deployed and both of the contesting sides appear committed to avoiding combat and willing to withdraw in favour of the blue helmets. … “I am pleased to report that as of yesterday, 521 of the authorized 4,200 military personnel in UNISFA have been deployed,” Mr. Le Roy said adding that he expected to have an operating capacity of 1,200 troops by the end of July.

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has appointed a commander for the new U.N. peacekeeping force in Sudan's contested Abyei region. The U.N. said Wednesday that Mr. Ban has named Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede Tesfay of Ethiopia as head of mission and commander of the force.

The Ethiopian government has begun deploying its troops to monitor the troubled North - South Sudan frontier of Abyei region, a military official said on Wednesday. … According to the UN resolution the Ethiopian force has the mission of demilitarising activities in and around Abyei and ensuring peace in the region for at least the next six months.

President Omer Al-Bashir of Sudan has reiterated claims to Abyei, warning that any attempt by the new state in South Sudan to impose a unilateral reality in the hotly-contested region could potentially lead to war with the North.