AU "disappointed" at postponement of Abyei talks

The African Union (AU) has expressed disappointment at the postponement of talks over the disputed region of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan, scheduled to start in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on June 20.

The delay to the Abyei community leaders reconciliation meeting was made following a request by the South Sudanese government.

The AU has urged renewed efforts towards confidence building and reconciliation between the Abyei communities, and the early holding of the meeting, according a statement issued on Thursday.

The meeting was intended to ease tensions between the Ngok Dinka and Messiriya communities in the region, scheduled to be convened by the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) with assistance from the AU Commission and the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei.

The Sudanese delegation arrived in Addis Ababa on June 19, while on the same day, South Sudan requested an "indefinite postponement" for it to resolve "internal challenges relating to their participation".

The AU-designated AJOC facilitator, Boitshoko Mokgatlhe, has taken advantage of the presence of the Sudanese delegation to exchange views with them on the challenges at hand.

The Messiriya community chiefs underscored the importance of reconciliation with the Ngok Dinka community, and expressed their readiness to attend any subsequent meeting on the matter, according to the AU statement.

The AU urged the Abyei communities to continue to exercise utmost restraint and avoid an escalation in tensions.

Abyei, under Sudan's control, is in the middle of a dispute between Sudan and South Sudan both claiming sovereignty over the territory.

The Ngok Dinka community is ethnically allied to South Sudan while the Messiriya people want to remain in Sudan. Endi