Peace force OKd in disputed Sudan

Philadelphia Inquirer Tuesday 21st June, 2011

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Leaders from north and south Sudan signed an agreement Monday to demilitarize the disputed central region of Abyei and allow an Ethiopian peacekeeping force to move in, said a former South African president who is helping lead peace talks. Thabo Mbeki said Monday's accord provides for the full demilitarization of Abyei, a fertile land near major oil fields that both north and south claim. Troops from northern Sudan moved into the region last month, action that sent tens of thousands of people who are aligned with the south fleeing. "The Sudan armed forces will pull out and will be deployed outside Abyei," said Mbeki, who helped lead the talks in neighboring Ethiopia. The agreement comes three weeks before the south is set to secede from the north and create the w...

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