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):
- IGAD and South Sudan Strengthen National Coordination for the Implementation of the Building Women’s Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace Project - 03/08/2026 18:53
- South Sudan plans interoperable birth registration, digital ID systems - 03/08/2026 18:50
- South Sudan Oil & Power Returns as South Sudan’s Premier Investment Platform - 03/08/2026 18:04
- Kenya: Mudavadi meets South Sudan foreign minister as Juba gears up for landmark elections - 03/08/2026 16:52
- A Long Road Home: Jal’s Journey Through Conflict and Separation - 03/08/2026 16:41
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan Celebrates Independence Anniversary - Voice of America (blog) - 09/07/2012 12:56
- South Sudan's underdevelopment driven by lack of strong institutions: experts - 09/12/2019 13:36
- Returnees' livelihoods limited in Southern Sudan - 05/06/2009 16:47
- Sudan: War crimes rampant as civilians killed in both deliberate and indiscriminate attacks - 07/08/2023 02:41
- South Sudan's 2,200 army instructors ready to start troops training - 16/12/2019 09:27
Popular articles:
- The Final Communique of SPLM-DC Third Session of the National Council - 29/03/2011 01:00 - Read 83072 times
- Roles and Definition of Political Parties - 29/04/2011 01:00 - Read 64770 times
- Agriculture in Southern Sudan: Challenges and Investment Opportunities - 06/10/2010 01:45 - Read 57306 times
- Fashoda Youth Forum Rehabilitation of Drainage Culverts in Malakal town Report - 07/08/2008 16:22 - Read 35809 times
- Creation and establishment of the Local Government Councils ( Counties ) (2) - 28/09/2011 01:00 - Read 33599 times
