Abyei Area

The Abyei area Referendum proposed for October appears to be in trouble, after world leaders warned against a unilateral decision to conduct the vote.

During the UN General Assembly, some western leaders –including the United States — expressed reservations on any side carrying out a referendum without each other’s consent.

The African Union also backtracked on the proposal of its High Implementation Panel to conduct the referendum within the month of October.

Currently, hundreds of Abyei residents are returning to the area in anticipation of the exercise.

Callers to Eye Radio said the government isn’t doing enough to push the referendum to the national and international public.

“Our officials are not doing enough, they are not vocal; they should move around the world to mobilize world leaders to support a solution for Abyei,” said a citizen whose Eye Radio has withheld his identity.

“They should convince people that Abyei belongs to South Sudan.”

The Chairman of the Abyei Community in Juba, Mading Deng insists that a referendum to establish the status of Abyei must be conducted before any administration is formed:

“If you want to make a joint administration in Abyei that will not work,” said Mr. Deng.

“We have tried and has not worked.”

So far, the referendum commission and Abyei administration has not been formed.