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May 24, 2011

Sudanese Troops Seize Disputed Region 
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Sudanese forces have seized control of the disputed border region of
Abyei in an ongoing spat with Southern Sudan. Sudanese officials have
rejected a U.N. call to withdraw from the region, saying they will not
leave until a new peace accord is signed. Southern Sudanese voters
backed independence from the north in a vote earlier this year. The
Abyei region lies on the border of north and south Sudan, and both sides
have laid claim to the area. The U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan, Princeton
Lyman, warned of escalating conflict.

Princeton Lyman: "I think that further conflict in Abyei is serious.
There is some fighting going on now towards the southern border where
southern forces are still inside Abyei and are fighting the Sudanese
armed forces. So, the danger of further clashes is very great. I don't
think that means they'll go to general warfare between the two, but any
kind of warfare and especially over an area as emotional and difficult
as Abyei is a very dangerous prospect."



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