afrol News, 20 May - South Sudanese ex-rebels have clashed with the Sudan Armed Forces in the oil-rich town of Abyei in Sudan. Observers fear for the stability of Sudan's fragile north-south peace, in place since 2005.

The Sudanese Minister of Presidential Affairs, prevailing from the government of Southern Sudan, Dr Luka Biong, alleged that the Sudanese army was fuelling the tensions in Abyei by blocking the roads linking Abyei and northern Sudan.

The clashes erupted a day after the United Nations began supplying relief aid to 50,000 people who were displaced after last week's clashes.

The UN official in Sudan, Ashraf Qazi issued a statement expressing his concerns on the security situation in Abyei, a town that is still contested by the Khartoum government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), with whom they signed a peace accord in 2005 to end the long-running north-south civil war. The more than 20-year north-south civil war in Sudan claimed 1.5 million lives.

The market area in Abyei was destroyed with the heavy ammunition by the SPLA and bodies were said to be lying in the streets by the aid workers, according to UN sources.

The Sudanese army spokesperson, Brigadier General Osman al-Aghbash told the 'Sudan News Agency' that SPLA forces attacked an army camp "with the intention of taking over the town", saying a number of soldiers were killed in the attack.

Abyei town lies near the boundary between north and south Sudan. It has been one of the main stumbling blocks hindering the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005 between Sudan Government and SPLA. Large oil resources in the border region have complicated negotiations over a final settlement.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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