An Mi-26 lift cargo helicopter landing in Abyei | Photo | Stuart Price

The South Sudanese Ambassador to Ethiopia says a meeting over Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan has not commenced in Addis Ababa today as planned.

According to Ambassador James Morgan, the two countries were to meet for two days to discuss the administration of the Abyei area.

This month, the UN Security Council raised concerns over lack of implementation of the work of the Joint Border and Verification Monitoring Mechanism by South Sudan and Sudan in regards to Abyei area.

The Council expected Sudan and South Sudan to respond to a deadline for progress in implementing the JBVMM and the full implementation of the 2011 Abyei agreement.

Sudan was also required to remove its armed police from around an oil facility in Diffra, as demanded by several Security Council resolutions.

The council also says Abyei has not been demilitarized, with UNISFA reporting an increase in criminal activity, including cattle rustling, carjacking, robbery, and grenade attack in Amiet market, in the recent months.

It says with the exception of UNISFA peacekeepers, the Abyei Police Service has not yet been established.

Ambassador Morgan told Eye Radio that the African Union High Implementation Panel requested both countries to discuss the work of Abyei Joint Administration Area.

“But our delegation from South Sudan is not here; and I don’t know whether the other side from Khartoum has come,” Amb. Morgan said.

In May, the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei, urged the United Nations to help in resolving the contentious issues related to the status of Abyei.

Makuei said Sudan was delaying the referendum in Abyei and the implementation of the Joint Border Security between the two countries.

This month, the Un Security Council is expected, as an option, to issue a presidential statement reiterating its intent to alter the UNISFA mandate should the parties fail to demonstrate a clear commitment to resolving the current progress in Abyei.

The body said that the domestic issues affecting South Sudan and Sudan have overshadowed their willingness in resolving the Abyei issue.