JUBA, Sudan, July 12 (Reuters)
South Sudan's army said on Saturday it had finished pulling out of the oil-rich Abyei area where southern troops clashed with Khartoum's forces in May, but accused the northern army of foot-dragging on its own pullout.
"We have pulled out. The forces are south of Abyei," Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) Spokesman Peter Parnyang said, adding that the former southern rebel movement was "seriously disappointed" that the northern army remained in the area.
Both sides missed a June 30 withdrawal date agreed by the SPLA's political arm -- the Sudan People's Liberation Movement -- and Khartoum's ruling National Congress Party.
A senior official in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Sudan said the SPLA's redeployment had been verified by their monitors. He did not give numbers of northern forces still in the area but said they were moving.
An SPLA solider shot and wounded a U.N. and a northern army monitor last week and the northern withdrawal stopped, he said. "But they have now restarted," he added.
Under a June roadmap agreement signed by the two sides, the area is to be governed by a temporary administration led by an SPLM official with a northern deputy. North-south disagreement over the area has meant it has lacked formal administration since the peace deal.
Some 2 million people died in Sudan's north-south war that also displaced around 4 million. It is separate from the Darfur conflict in the west of the country. (Writing by Skye Wheeler; Editing by Caroline Drees)
Newer articles:
- Is Collo a community with diversity entities or single nation? - 16/07/2008 01:25
- Bush to see how Beshir arrest warrant 'plays out' - 15/07/2008 20:13
- I am not For Pachodo.Org Website's Restriction about Dr. Lam and Pagan - 15/07/2008 20:03
- Sudan head accused of war crimes - 14/07/2008 16:02
- The Cry and Dirge of President Omer al-Bashir from the Sudanese Capital - 13/07/2008 19:18
Older news items
- Announcement: News Items regarding Mr. Pagan Amum or Dr. Lam Akol - 12/07/2008 19:11
- Anuak History : HISTORY OF THE ANUAK TO 1956 - 10/07/2008 05:57
- Each Tribe Counts for South Sudan as No Tribe is Valueless - 09/07/2008 16:08
- First Impression : Malakal Town - 09/07/2008 16:00
- SOCIAL BARRIERS IN DEVELOPMENT - 09/07/2008 15:36
Latest news items (all categories):
- Hope for Christmas gift as South Sudan talks return to Nairobi - 05/12/2024 10:26
- Chinese medical team brings relief to South Sudan patients - 05/12/2024 10:18
- Sudanese bishop speaks about being brutalized by soldiers - 05/12/2024 10:08
- President Biden: Absent Principles - No Honoring Words - Broken Promises - 05/12/2024 09:55
- South Sudan’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Continues – Analysis - 01/12/2024 17:47
Random articles (all categories):
- Kenya, South Sudan strike visa deal: report - 03/03/2014 06:30
- Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Catalyst for basin-wide water cooperation? - 04/08/2020 08:52
- South Sudan Church leaders say peace requires trust building first - 22/07/2018 00:52
- Ex South Sudan rebel leader says believes unity government won't be ready by May 12 - 12/04/2019 13:01
- جبهة وطنية جنوبية عريضة و موحدة - 14/10/2010 03:30
Popular articles:
- The Final Communique of SPLM-DC Third Session of the National Council - 29/03/2011 01:00 - Read 75901 times
- Roles and Definition of Political Parties - 29/04/2011 01:00 - Read 60484 times
- Agriculture in Southern Sudan: Challenges and Investment Opportunities - 06/10/2010 01:45 - Read 41927 times
- Fashoda Youth Forum Rehabilitation of Drainage Culverts in Malakal town Report - 07/08/2008 16:22 - Read 32925 times
- Dozens of gunmen on horseback ambush peacekeepers - 24/05/2008 13:47 - Read 26614 times