Südsudan/Sudan (Abyei)

South Sudan said on Wednesday that it does not support the conduct of a unilateral referendum to determine the final status of the oil-contested border region of Abyei, questioning what its outcome would achieve if it is not recognised by either country.

South Sudanese government unexpectedly issued strong administrative instructions, suspending all announcements and mobilisation campaigns in support of the Abyei referendum, according to senior officials.

South Sudan maintains its full support of October’s unilateral vote to determine the final status of Abyei, despite the failure to reach a deal with neighbouring Sudan, its vice-president said Friday.

Participants who attended the consultative meeting welcomed the AUPSC (AU Peace and Security Council) decision to visit Abyei in October and that it looks forward to its assessment and recommendations.

Senior politicians and community leaders from Abyei have set next month for the conduct of the long-awaited self-determination referendum in the region, but are yet to agree on the date.

Representatives from various civil society and faith-based organisations from the contested Abyei region took to the street on Tuesday to protest the failure of Sudan and South Sudan to agree on a date for a proposed referendum, warning that they would decide their own destiny if the two sides continued to stall.

Representatives from various civil society and faith-based organisations from the contested Abyei region took to the street on Tuesday to protest the failure of Sudan and South Sudan to agree on a date for a proposed referendum, warning that they would decide their own destiny if the two sides continued to stall.

UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Haile Menkerios, urged the two countries to reach an agreement ending their dispute over Abyei region where a referendum has to be held to determine the fate of the region. … The presidents Omer Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir reiterated on Tuesday 3 September their commitment to implement the cooperation agreements and activated all the joint committees working on its implementation.

Following the failure of presidents Omer Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir to seal a deal during his one day to Khartoum some dignitaries from the disputed area called for a decision by the African Union to support the organisation of a referendum that eventually to be backed by the UN Security Council.

Sudanese government reiterated its rejection to hold a referendum on the future of Abyei area, stressing that priority should be given to establish local institutions and provide service to the civilians there.