Sudan versus South Sudan : the conflict over Abyei

The conflict over ownership of Abyei’s renewable and nonrenewable resources has evolved as a contentious issue between Sudan and South Sudan. The situation was complicated by the relationships of the Humr Misseriya pastoralists and Ngok Dinka agrarians with these governments, respectively. Moreover, lack of agreement about who should be considered a resident of Abyei derailed a referendum on the territory’s status as either part of Sudan or possibly South Sudan. The government in Khartoum and the Humr Misseriya have thus far rejected all proposals and agreements for resolving the conflict. To rectify this situation, the Sudanese and South Sudanese governments need to work toward actualizing mutual benefits based on the agreed principles and proposals put forward in the Abyei protocol of 2004/5 and by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel of 2012. Proceeding along these lines could lead to building durable peace in Abyei and other contested areas along the border of Sudan and South Sudan