South Sudan-Abiye (The Disputed Region Tour)

Abyei and Kafia Kingi, in the north of the country along the border with Sudan; and the Ilemi Triangle in the southeast on the borders with Kenya and Ethiopia. Travelling in any of these areas, but in particular in the two northern territories, carries a severe risk to personal safety and should not be attempted except in exceptional circumstances and then only with an armed private escort from the appropriate military authorities.

Abyei Region
Abyei, shaped like an irregular hexagon, spans about 10,546 km² along the Sudan border, rich in oil resources. Its importance is strategic due to the Greater Nile Oil Pipeline, but oil production faced interruptions due to political issues.

Historical Context
Inhabited by Dinka tribes and Messiria nomads since the 18th century, Abyei has seen ongoing conflict over cattle raids. The British attempted to segregate these groups in 1905, a division solidified during the Sudanese Civil Wars. Despite a 1972 agreement for a referendum on Abyei's future, it never occurred.

Abyei and the CPA
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement negotiations faced challenges over Abyei’s status. The 2002 Machakos Protocol defined borders but excluded Abyei from South Sudan. A resolution led to the Abyei Protocol, granting special status and establishing a borders commission, but the agreement faced ongoing disputes and violence, culminating in a temporary SPLA withdrawal from the government.

Arbitration and Outcomes
In 2008, escalating violence prompted an agreement to take the dispute to international arbitration. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2009, adjusting Abyei's borders and influencing future voting prospects. However, the actual border demarcation was not executed.

In May 2011, Sudanese forces took control of Abyei, displacing thousands. The UN intervened, increasing peacekeeping forces due to the ongoing tensions. Both Sudan and South Sudan still claim Abyei, with the referendum on its future delayed indefinitely.

Abiye Expedition