Sudan and South Sudan agreed to the complete redeployment of forces in the disputed area of Abyei during a Joint Political and Security Mechanism meeting, the African Union said on Thursday.

"The Chairperson is encouraged by the outcomes of the meeting between the two neighboring states and their commitment to fully implement the Security Arrangements" a press release from the AU said.

The African Union said that in addition to the re-deployment of forces, the two countries agreed to the reactivation of a number of verification committees.

In December 2010, Sudan and South Sudan signed an agreement to demilitarize the disputed Abyei territory.