The chairperson of the Legislation, Legal Affairs, and Decentralisation Committee in the Sudanese Council of States Dr Omer Suleiman has warned against the conduct of a “unilateral” referendum in Abyei area on 1 October.

“If that happens it will be an ominous sign and another move to make the issue of Abyei more complicated” he said.

According to the Khartoum-based Sudanese News Agency (SUNA), the Legislator called on the two sides to speed up the reshuffle of the administration besides deployment of local police in the Abyei area as well as resettlement of returnees in order to achieve peace and tranquillity in the area.

Suleiman, also appealed to the two governments to adhere to June, 20, 2011 Abyei agreement signed in Addis Ababa between Khartoum and Juba.

“That 20 June document is the only reference in resolving all disputes that rise between the two countries on the Abyei area” the lawmaker explained.