Abyei residents are making preparations for Christmas and the celebration will be normal as usual, a church leader said.
Fr. Peter Suleiman, the catholic parish-priest of Abyei, told SCR News over the phone that residents are busy finding a place for the many returnees who flocked to the region ahead of the referendum.
Fr. Suleiman said shelter for returnees was a big issue, because there were no available houses and they were not receiving plastic sheeting, although relatives helped as they could to help them settle.
He added that many were still sleeping on the open.
Fr. Suleiman said that the returnees were getting food rations from WFP and other organizations.
Fr. Suleiman added that there were no strange military movements around Abyei and the police was taking care of security.
He added that he discussed with the youth some security arrangements for the Christmas celebrations.
Fr. Suleiman said people are following the negotiations on the future of Abyei between Omar al-Bashir and Salva Kiir Mayardit through the media.
Abyei received over 22 thousand returnees and the majority are children in school age.