A senior SPLM official outlined what he termed as the ransom that south Sudan is offering to north Sudan in order to break the deadlock over the future of the contested Abyei area.
SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum Akech told Sudan Tribune website that southern Sudan could resort to other options to exercise the right of self-determination if the process is politically obstructed.Mr. Amum said the NCP was holding Abyei hostage and demanding a ransom from Southern Sudan and the US administration for its release.
He explained that the NCP wants the US Administration to lift economic sanctions imposed on Sudan and normalize bilateral relations.
Mr. Amum revealed that the south would need to offer a development package to the Missiriya, including guarantees to their rights to grazing, resources and pastures even after the area goes to the south.
He added that the south would also need to give the NCP a percentage of the oil produced from Abyei area.