EU concerned over situation in Abyei disputed by Sudan and South Sudan

KHARTOUM, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Wednesday expressed concern over the situation of the people of Abyei area, disputed over by Sudan and South Sudan.

Ambassadors of the European Union, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Sweden, Norway and the Special Envoy of Norway to Sudan and South Sudan on Wednesday concluded a two-day visit to Abyei.

"The European delegation expressed its concern about the situation of the people in Abyei," said the EU in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by Xinhua.

"The European diplomats agreed that there is need for improved basic services especially in the areas of water, education, health and rule of law," it added.

The objective of the visit was to examine the political, security, development and humanitarian situation on the ground, according to the statement.

Sudan and South Sudan are disputing the oil-rich Abyei, an area inhabited mainly by Sudan's Arab Mesiria tribe and South Sudan's Dinka Ngok tribe.

Abyei, on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, administratively belongs to Sudan's South Kordofan State and includes two thirds of Sudan's oil wells, which begin with Sharif and Abu Jabra oil wells in the east and extend to Higlieg and Balila wells.

Over 4,000 Ethiopian troops are deployed in Abyei within the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) after the area witnessed repeated clashes by the two tribes and between Sudan and South Sudan armies. Enditem