The US envoy to the Sudan said it is impossible to hold the Abyei referendum together with the plebiscite for South Sudan self-determination and the issue needs a political solution.
Scott Gration said in an on-de-record briefing made public by the State Department yesterday that the opportunity to hold the Abyei poll on time passed away.Mr. Gartion noted that the Abyei referendum commission was not set up yet.
He said that in 27 days it was impossible to finance the act, reach an agreement on the criteria of who could vote in this poll, and then register voters.
Mr. Gartion added that it will take a political solution to resolve this issue.