Abyei: Sudan’s president has said he will not withdraw troops from the disputed Abyei border region seized over the weekend. President Omar al-Bashir said the area belonged to the north. He added his army would respond to any possible “provocation” from the army of South Sudan, due to become an independent state on 9 July.
Northern troops seized the territory after southern forces had ambushed a convoy of its forces in the area, killing 22 people.
Analysts fear the the dispute could reignite the north-south conflict, in which some 1.5 million were killed.
The status of Abyei was left undecided in the 2005 peace deal and a referendum, due in January, on whether the area should be part of the north or south has been postponed indefinitely.
The two sides fought for decades before agreeing to share power and hold a referendum on southern independence.
“Abyei is northern Sudanese land,” President Bashir said, according to Reuters, adding: “We will not withdraw from it.”
Earlier on Tuesday, a southern minister in Sudan’s national government resigned, saying “war crimes” had been committed in the region.
Luka Biong Deng, a senior official in the south’s ruling party, originally from Abyei, said he could no longer work with Bashir’s party in the unity government
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription