South Sudan Warns Of War If No Deal Over Oil And Abyei Region The president of South Sudan yesterday warned former foes in north Sudan if bitter oil negotiations do not include a deal on other key issues, including the contested Abyei region. 03 February 2012 South Sudan Warns Of War If No Deal Over Oil And Abyei Region President Salva Kiir Mayardit [File Photo]
By Michael Amos JUBA, 3rd January 2012 - The president of South Sudan yesterday warned former foes in north Sudan if bitter oil negotiations do not include a deal on other key issues, including the contested Abyei region. He said the draft was meant to compel South Sudan to remain “dependent” on Sudan to export her oil. “It would not be fair to my people to support an agreement that invites more conflict by failing to resolve underlying issues,” Salva Kiir told reporters. An agreement that we would consider signing should not only focus on the oil crisis, but be comprehensive to over all the outstanding issues,” he added. He said he will not accept any deal with Sudan that does not include the status of the disputed Abyei region and the demarcation of the orders. He said that the draft agreement that was presented by the African Union last week in Addis Ababa to resolve the oil row was “vague” for it leaves out Abyei, border demarcation and was dictated by Khartoum. South Sudan in January 2012 took the xtreme step of shutting down oil production – the fledgling nations’ top revenue source –as it accused rival Sudan over an oil dispute and the African Union-Mediated talks remain stalled. President Kiir said he had rejected last week's talks because they failed to address the future of the contested Abyei region, an area the size of Lebanon which is claimed by both sides but occupied by Khartoum. Kiir said South Sudan was taking “austerity measures to ensure the continued viability of our nation” following the oil production shutdown. “These measures will not be easy, however, they will need to close the gap created from a loss of oil revenue,” he said, urging people to accept a “temporary sacrifice for the overall good” of the country. The two sides are due to hold fresh rounds of talks on February 10 2012 in Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa. Source: nationmedia -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
