Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the Chinese official television CCTV that, according to 1956 border, the contested areas of Panthou and Abyei are part of South Sudan. He said it became disputed areas when petroleum was discovered there in 1978.
Dr. Marial added that the names of these areas and the inhabitants in them are Dinka, and there is nothing that can identify that the areas belong to the Republic of Sudan.
He said he believes the issues of Panthou and Abyei can be solved through dialogue.