Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo|Courtesy

The Government of Sudan has rejected South Sudan’s decision to include the Abyei Administrative Area among the country’s electoral constituencies for the general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.

According to a statement dated July 13th, published on the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) Facebook page, Sudan said the decision by South Sudan’s National Elections Commission to designate Abyei as one of 102 geographical constituencies violates the 2005 Abyei Protocol and the 2011 Agreement on Temporary Security and Administrative Arrangements for the disputed region.

In the statement, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the agreements, which are referenced in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2046 of 2012, require the two countries to negotiate the final status of Abyei and do not permit unilateral actions affecting the territory.

The Sudanese government called on South Sudan to comply with existing agreements and urged the United Nations, regional organizations, and other international partners to support the implementation of the accords governing Abyei.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining good neighbourly relations while preserving what it described as its legal rights under the existing agreements.

The Abyei Area remains a disputed territory between Sudan and South Sudan, with its final status yet to be determined through negotiations as provided for under 2005 agreements.