After 22 years of civil war in Sudan, independence will be given to the south in July. While the UN Security Council does not see conflict in Abyei as significant regarding the planned partition between the north and the south, an outbreak of violence in this region would surely stall the prospects for peace.
Abyei is a small region that divides the border between north and south Sudan. In 2005 it was granted special status until a concrete decision is made by referendum as to who has claims to the region. Once significant for its oil outputs, it faces depleting resources. An important oil pipeline travels through it which is still seen as vital for exportation. However, the main source of conflict can be seen as ethnic tensions between the southern group, the Dinka Ngok, and northern nomads, the Misseriya.
On the 21st of May troops from North Sudan moved into the Abyei’s capital, named Abyei Town. There have been many reports of looting and burning resulting in the fleeing of 20, 000 southern Sudanese residents.
A referendum should be held to determine who has legal claims over Abyei to avoid further catastrophe. Now that Sudan has a real chance at peace, it would be illogical and disastrous for renewed conflict over such a limited piece of land to disrupt these efforts.
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