Ban warns Sudan rivals over oil region tensions

(AFP) – 12 hours ago

UNITED NATIONS — UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned Friday that new deadly clashes in the disputed oil region of Abyei risk undermining relations between the rival north and south Sudan governments as they head for permanent separation.

Scores have been killed in recent clashes in the frontier region where both sides have staged a significant military buildup and Ban demanded that they "refrain from provoking each other," his spokesman said.

"The secretary general is deeply concerned by the continued tension in the Abyei area and underscores that the military stand-off is unacceptable," said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.

Ban urged the north and south "to immediately implement the short-term containment measures" agreed in January and March to reduce tensions. The rival governments agreed then to keep their troops apart and to hold talks to settle Abyei's future.

"The resumption and conclusion of the negotiations on Abyei must now be a matter of priority," Ban said, according to his spokesman.

After voting massively to break away in a January referendum, the south's draft constitution explicitly put Abyei in South Sudan. In response, the north's President Omar al-Bashir said his government would not recognize the south when it formally declares independence on July 9 if it claims Abyei.

Another 14 people were killed in the latest clashes in the territory at the weekend, according to UN officials. And Khartoum envoys have warned there could be a new north-south war.

Ban called on Bashir's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in the north and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the south "to refrain from any unilateral declarations regarding the ownership of the Abyei area as it jeopardizes the search for a peaceful resolution," said his spokesman.

"The parties must refrain from provoking each other or engaging in any military confrontation in Abyei as this could result in further loss of life and significantly affect the future relationship between North and South."

The north and south have repeatedly accused each other of sending troops into Abyei, in breach of their January truce. Fighting has repeatedly flared since January. Abyei did not take part in the self-determination referendum because the two sides could not agree who was eligible to vote.