This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8161965.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Sudan tense for oil border ruling Sudan tense for oil border ruling
(9 minutes later)
Tension is high in Sudan as a court ruling in The Hague is awaited on its disputed internal border, which cuts through rich oil fields. Tension is high in Sudan as judges in The Hague prepare to rule on a disputed internal border which cuts through rich oil fields.
The main parties in north and south Sudan have pledged to abide by the court ruling but some fear a return to their long war, which ended in 2005.The main parties in north and south Sudan have pledged to abide by the court ruling but some fear a return to their long war, which ended in 2005.
Under the peace deal, the south is autonomous but the region's borders are not clearly defined.Under the peace deal, the south is autonomous but the region's borders are not clearly defined.
Both north and south claim the Abyei region and its oil.Both north and south claim the Abyei region and its oil.
At the weekend, the UN accused the southern Sudanese army, the SPLA, of moving troops into Abyei ahead of the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The Permanent Court of Arbitration will not decide on who owns the land, but will decide on where Abyei's borders lie.
This was strongly denied by the SPLA. UN peacekeepers have beefed up their presence in Abyei in the run-up to the decision.
Both armies had agreed to stay out of the area. At the weekend the UN accused the southern Sudanese army, the SPLA, of moving troops into Abyei ahead of the ruling - claims the SPLA strongly denied.
United Nations peacekeepers have beefed up their presence in Abyei ahead of the decision. Armies from the north and south had agreed to stay out of the area.
Ghost townGhost town
A 22-year civil war - separate from the Darfur conflict - which pitted the mainly Muslim north against the Christian and animist south ended in 2005, after claiming 1.5 million lives.A 22-year civil war - separate from the Darfur conflict - which pitted the mainly Muslim north against the Christian and animist south ended in 2005, after claiming 1.5 million lives.
Under the peace deal Abyei was supposed to be administered jointly until a referendum in 2011. Under the peace deal a commission was established which demarcated Abyei's boundaries - but the north rejected the commission's decision.
A commission was established which demarcated Abyei's boundaries - but the north rejected the commission's decision.
Rivals agree to avert war Could clashes herald return to war? Uneasy peace in Sudan ghost townRivals agree to avert war Could clashes herald return to war? Uneasy peace in Sudan ghost town
Analysts say the disputed area's size and make-up matters because Abyei's residents are likely to vote to join southern Sudan's administration in the referendum. Abyei was supposed to be administered jointly until a referendum in 2011, when residents will vote on whether to join the north or the south.
Analysts say Abyei's residents are likely to vote to join southern Sudan's administration, so the disputed area's size and make-up is crucial.
At the same time, the south will vote on whether it wants to be independent.At the same time, the south will vote on whether it wants to be independent.
After clashes broke out in Abyei town last year, the two sides agreed to refer the case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The court in The Hague will decide if the boundary, which the commission ruled lies around 90km (56 miles) north of Abyei town, is correct - or it will demarcate a new border.
After clashes broke out in Abyei town last year, the two sides agreed to refer the case to The Hague.
As many as 100 people died, and the incident was seen as the biggest threat to the peace deal.As many as 100 people died, and the incident was seen as the biggest threat to the peace deal.
Correspondents say Abyei town is a ghost of its former self with few prepared to rebuild it, fearing further clashes.Correspondents say Abyei town is a ghost of its former self with few prepared to rebuild it, fearing further clashes.
Only about 3,000 people are thought to live in and around Abyei compared with 50,000 before the fighting last year, Reuters news agency reports.Only about 3,000 people are thought to live in and around Abyei compared with 50,000 before the fighting last year, Reuters news agency reports.
The BBC's James Copnall in the capital, Khartoum, says the area is home to an Arab group of cattle herders, known as the Misseriya - loyal to the north, and the Dinka Ngok, part of the largest ethnic group of the south.The BBC's James Copnall in the capital, Khartoum, says the area is home to an Arab group of cattle herders, known as the Misseriya - loyal to the north, and the Dinka Ngok, part of the largest ethnic group of the south.
There is competition for resources like land for grazing and water and the divisions can easily be exploited, analysts say.There is competition for resources like land for grazing and water and the divisions can easily be exploited, analysts say.
Both sides were used as proxy armies during the civil war.Both sides were used as proxy armies during the civil war.
The court in The Hague will decide if the boundary, which the commission ruled lies around 90km (56 miles) north of Abyei town, is correct - or it will demarcate a new border.
Are you in Sudan? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Sudan? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions