Traditional court leaders in Abyei, the disputed region between South Sudan and Sudan, have warned there will be stricter penalties for people caught brewing alcohol. Instead of being fined, they will now be imprisoned, according to Abyei Today.

Economic pressures drive people to brew the alcohol and the absence of community police officers mean the restrictions on the beverage are usually not enforced. Brewing and selling alcohol was banned two years ago.

One traditional justice disagreed with the move. Tor Biong, a member of the Abyei traditional court, said women should not be blamed for selling alcohol to make a living. Instead, the people who drank the alcohol should be held responsible. 

Sergeant Kiir Malek, who is based in Abyei town, said he arrested up to seven people each day for being drunk. He said they were only charged if they were suspected of having committed a crime.

The new rules will go into effect after new judges for the region arrive from Juba.