UN Calls on Sudan, South Sudan to Discuss Security in Disputed Region

UNITED NATIONS, December 12 (Sputnik) — The UN Security Council has called for a bilateral security meeting between Sudan and South Sudan as it condemned the recent lethal attacks on civilians in the disputed Abyei Area, the UN Security Council said in a statement.

"Welcoming recent talks between Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan, the United Nations Security Council today called on both governments to hold a high-level security meeting as soon as possible and urged all parties to refrain from violence against civilians and to expedite humanitarian access for the timely delivery of aid to all civilians in need of assistance," the statement issued Friday said.

According to the statement, members of the Security Council voiced concerns about the "relatively calm but highly volatile security situation” in Abyei Area, a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan. The region is noted for its hydrocarbon reserves.

Citing Peter Bashir Gbandi, South Sudan deputy foreign affairs minister, Sudan Tribune reported Thursday that seven people were killed in an attack in Abyei Area at the beginning of December, despite hopes that security in the region would improve after talks held in November between the countries’ presidents. According to media reports of the meeting, the leaders discussed border issues as well as several issues crucial for the security of the two countries.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan in a referendum held July 2011 following a peace deal reached in 2005. However, Sudan has repeatedly been accused by South Sudan of carrying out attacks in the Abyei Area.

Both countries are currently confronting rebel groups. Sudan is trying to crack down on rebel groups in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, while South Sudan has been caught up in a political crisis since December 2013 due to a power struggle.