The United States’ special envoy to Sudan Richard Williamson arrived Wednesday in Khartoum in an attempt to press diplomatic efforts toward resolving a crisis that threatens to rekindle civil war between the north and the south.
Williamson’s arrival coincided with a warning issued by president of the south Sudanese government, Salva Kiir, according to which his armed forces would not stand idle while the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) sends reinforcements to the disputed town Abeyie.
Kiir, who also serves as vice-president of the central Sudanese government, said these reinforcements were sent in clear disregard of understandings achieved between the two sides over the weekend.
"The SAF have been building up in Abyei area, particularly along the roads leading to northern Sudan… We are committed to peace but shall retain the right to protect the people of southern Sudan," Kiir said during a parliamentary session in the southern capital Juba, according to the Sudan Tribune.
Kiir further described the Abyei crisis, in which dozens were killed earlier this month, as a violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which in 2005 ended a 20-year long civil war.
Under the CPA, Abyei was to be jointly administered by the north and south until a referendum in 2011 decides to which side it would belong.
Following his mediation efforts, Williamson is also expected to visit Darfur in western Sudan.