Abyei

The referendum in Abyei can only be conducted if an administration is formed, a senior Sudanese official has told Eye Radio.

On Sunday, the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is said to have rejected a referendum being carried out in Abyei without the formation of Abyei Legislative Council.

A senior member of the Sudanese ruling party, the NCP said the mechanisms for holding the referendum need to be set up by a joint administration of both countries.

Rabbie Abdullaati said security needed to be in place first:

“The Sudanese government does not reject any referendum in Abyei, but what the Sudanese government is saying is that there is need for arrangements for stability to return to Abyei area. There is need for area police to maintain security and the joint administration, so that this administration can organize and deliver services to the citizens, and then the referendum can take place.’’

Last year, the African Union proposed that the Abyei referendum takes place in October this year, but only permanent residents of the area are permitted to vote.

The proposal would affect the Sudanese Misseriya who are mainly nomads in Abyei.

The Sudanese government rejected the proposal and demanded a formation of Abyei administration on a fifty-fifty basis representation between South Sudan and Sudan.