Deadlock over Abyei

Sudan and South Sudan fail to reach a consensus on the oil rich regionDaffala Alhaj Ali Osman, Sudanese ambassador to the UN, said that establishment of an administrational unit for Abyei was no longer possible.He said it was too late for such a body and that the delay was caused by the conservatism of the government of South Sudan on all proposals of the Sudanese government regarding appointing administrational commissions for Abyei.On the other hand, David Chut, South Sudanese acting ambassador to the UN, expressed concern over the escalating tension along border areas and the attack allegedly launched by the Sudanese Armed Forces on Jau in Unity state. He asserted that the region lies in the territory of South Sudan.Chut renewed his country’s commitment to negotiate with Sudan and reach final agreements regarding Abyei and stressed on the necessity of withdrawal of both forces from the area, asserting that most of South Sudanese army has left the region.Meanwhile, Herve Ladsous, the UN deputy secretary-general for peace-keeping operations, said that the security situation in Abyei was still unstable, stating that the lack of withdrawal of armies from both sides was a violation of the agreement signed on 20 June 2011.Ladsous also said that the head of the temporary UN security force in Abyei held talks with leaders of the Messeriya tribe to slow down the migration process which the tribe seasonally makes. Ladsous added that the force has changed the way it used to be stationed in Abyei and put up points to prevent entry of armed militias to the region.