It is now more than 15 months since South Sudan achieved its independence from Sudan, as what was supposed to be the final step in a peaceful resolution of north-south wars which had plagued the country for more than 20 years. However, the peace agreement was not explicit on the boundaries between north and south, and over the past year there has been conflict over the border areas of Abyei and Southern Kordofan.
An African Union panel consisting of former presidents from South Africa, Nigeria and Burundi, has been trying to mediate, requiring Sudan and South Sudan to implement temporary agreements on the Abyei region within two weeks, and to negotiate and resolve outstanding issues within six weeks. Some progress has already been made, with agreement being reached on the fee to be paid by the South for transporting oil through Sudan to the coast.
It is generally proposed that the people of Abyei should be able to vote on whether they become part of South Sudan or remain part of Sudan. However, the issue is complicated by nomadic Misseriya people who live in the Abyei area for six months of each year. The African Union panel has ruled that only the Misseriya people residing in Abyei when the referendum is held in October next year will be eligible to vote.