The UN confirmed that troops from both north and south Sudan armies started withdrawing from Abyei amid challenges to carry out the process.
SAF and SPLA commands agreed on Monday to withdraw all unauthorized forces from the contested region of Abyei in an attempt to prevent tension that could escalate into large scale violence.Kouider Zerrouk, UNMIS deputy spokesperson told SCR News on the phone from Khartoum, that the withdrawal has already started with the UN assistance and it should be concluded by Thursday.
Although UNMIS looks at the process as a good start, Mr. Zerrouk acknowledged that it poses some technical challenges including the movement of forces from one area to another in a very short time.
Mr. Zerrouk said Abyei region is currently calm adding that UNMIS hopes the withdrawal of forces and deployment of the JIUs will ensure stabilization and bring peace to the area.
Analysts say that the Abyei region is a potential flashpoint that will draw north and south Sudan back to war if a solution is not agreed upon as soon as possible.
The region has recently been the place of bloody and deadly violence with accusations that militias operating in the area are sponsored by the government of Khartoum.
Both governments had recently increased their military presences in the region, while the fate of the region remains undecided.