More than 60,000 people who have recently returned to Abyei are ready to take part in the upcoming referendum in October, said sultan Bulabek Kuol Deng Kuol.

“Up to now no fewer than 60,000 people have registered in Abyei, according to statistics. We expect this number to double within the coming month,” revealed Sultan Kuol in an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj.

Concerning last week's visit of South Sudan President Salva Kiir to Khartoum, the sultan expected that all outstanding issues between the two countries would be resolved. However, he said the visit “fell short” as it only averted the shutdown of the oil flow from South Sudan to Sudan.

“People were expecting a solution for the remaining issues. But it became clear that the only thing that materialised is the on-going oil flow via Sudan’s pipelines to Port Sudan where it is sold,” he said.

Kuol noted that the Presidents “did not reach anything new on Abyei or border demarcation" and wondered "if the oil will continue flowing without other resolutions in place”.

Speaking about the security situation in Abyei, Kuol acknowledged that everything is fine now although there are no guarantees it will remain as such.

Kuol, the successor of deceased sultan Kuol Deng Majok, stressed that if a final solution for Abyei is not reached, “nothing can be expected from Sudan".

File photo by Radio Tamazuj: Abyei