The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has called called upon Sudan and South Sudan to settle a long-standing dispute over the oil-rich border region of Abyei. 

Speaking in a press statement, Moon welcomed the outcome of recent discussions between Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his southern counterpart Salva Kiir, describing the recent implementation of last year’s cooperation agreement as ‘encouraging.’

The Secretary General called upon both sides to maintain this positive momentum following the bilaterial agreement to resume South Sudan’s oil production calling this an ‘important sign of progress.’

He praised the two leaders for showing willingness to continue to try to resolve the issue of Abyei, a step he thinks is important for achieving the normalisation of relations between the neighbours.

The two countries finally began implementation last month of a cooperation agreement signed in September last year.  The demilitarisation of the border zone and loosening of border restrictions has resulted in the resumption of trade and cross-border travel as well as the resumption of oil production.