Deng Alor Kuol, South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was barred from travelling to the disputed territory of Abyei to attend the burial of late Ambassador Kuol Alor on Wednesday, multiple sources said.

The sources told Radio Tamazuj today that UNISFA leadership declined to approve a plane to take Minister Deng Alor to Abyei, saying it was not its mandate to allow government officials to visit Abyei without any agreement between the two countries.

Deng, who hails from Abyei, was scheduled to attend the burial of late Ambassador Kuol Alor Kuol in Abyei yesterday. But he was not allowed to travel to Abyei without any approval by governments of Sudan and South Sudan.

South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that Deng Alor could not travel to Abyei to attend the burial of late Ambassador Kuol Alor, citing technical reasons.

The ministry’s official spokesman Mawien Makol revealed that the Sudanese Ambassador in Juba was summoned immediately after Minister Deng Alor had been stopped from travelling to the disputed territory of Abyei.

“The Sudanese ambassador explained that his country had nothing to do with the issue of Deng Alor. The Sudanese ambassador was summoned by the leadership of the ministry of foreign affairs,” he said.

Kuol Alor Kuol, Head of Abyei Administrative Area, confirmed that Foreign Minister Deng Alor could not travel to Abyei after UNISFA commander declined to approve a plane to take him.

UNISFA spokesperson didn’t answer calls seeking comment.