Protestors outside the Sudanese embassy in London express their solidarity with the people of Abyei on Saturday after the region is occupied by the northern army on May 22. The military said the move was in response to an attack by a southern armed group on a UN accompanied convoy of the Sudan Armed Forces on May 19. May 28, 2011 (ST)The occupation of Abyei has raised fears that South Sudan’s seccession may not pass peacefully after a resounding vote for independence in a referendum in January. May 28, 2011 (ST)The Abyei protocol of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan called for a referendum to decide whether the region would remain in the north or be transfered to the South. May 28, 2011 (ST)Abyei’s self determination referendum did not go ahead due to a dispite over who was allowed to take part in the vote. May 28, 2011 (ST)Salva Kiir the president of soon-to-be independent South Sudan has said that he will not go to war over the occupation of Abyei. May 28, 2011 (ST)Over two million people died in the 21 year North-South civil war according to the UN. May 28, 2011 (ST)The UN estimates the 40,000 people were displaced from Abyei when the Northern army occupied the disputed region on 22 May. The South Sudan government claims that the numbers of displaced is much higher. (ST)The Comprehensive Peace Agreement did not address the conflict in Darfur, where the government and rebels have both been accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court. May 28, 2011 (ST)Earlier in May incumbent governor Ahmed Haroun won the contest for the governorship of the strategically important state of South Kordofan. The oil rich region borders South Sudan. May 28, 2011 (ST)The unsuccesful SPLM candidate claimed that Khartoum’s National Congress Party rigged the election, which was largely endorsed by international observes. May 28, 2011 (ST)South Sudan will become independent in July 9 but the fate of Abyei is yet to be decided. May 28, 2011 (ST)
