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In Pictures: Abyei decides

The vote wasn’t recognised by either Sudan or South Sudan, but residents of the oil-rich border region still celebrated.

Thousands of people forced to flee Abyei in fighting two years ago have returned for the referendum.
Published On 1 Nov 2013

Following a referendum in the contested Abyei region, a prominent ethnic group has voted overwhelmingly to join South Sudan – but it’s unlikely that the unrecognised vote will have much of an impact in an area beset by poverty and unrest.

Thursday’s poll in the oil-rich Abyei region, which straddles Sudan and South Sudan, was not recognised by either Khartoum or Juba. The African Union, meanwhile, warned that referendum was a “threat to peace”.

More than 99 percent of voters chose to be part of the world’s youngest country – South Sudan was established in June 2009 following a referendum for independence, the final stage in a peace deal which ended the two-decade Sudanese civil war.

Patrolled by about 4,000 Ethiopian-led UN peacekeepers, the area is home to the settled Ngok Dinka tribe, closely connected with South Sudan, as well as the semi-nomadic Arab Misseriya, who traditionally move back and forth from Sudan grazing their cattle.

Only the Ngok Dinka voted – although organisers insist it was open to all residents – and the Misseriya have already angrily said they would not recognise the results of any unilateral poll.

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“The people are celebrating, there is dancing and music, and the nine chiefs of the Dinka Ngok are marching, they will sign a declaration of commitment to join South Sudan,” Luka Biong, spokesman for the Abyei Referendum High Committee, told AFP news agency.

Despite the celebrations, few believe the situation on the ground will change as result of the referendum.

People have returned from as far away as Australia and the United States.
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Buildings ruined during conflicts in the past were used as a shelter by the returnees.
A group of young Ngok Dinka warm themselves in the morning sun outside a school in Abyei during the referendum to decide whether the region should join Sudan or South Sudan.
Referendum officials wait for the final few voters towards the end of polling in the three-day vote.
Only the Ngok Dinka voted, although organisers insist it was open to all residents, and the Misseriya have already angrily said they would not recognise the results of any unilateral poll.
A sign on the side of a disused school advertises the referendum. A mark beside the open hand is a vote for unity with South Sudan, and a mark beside the the clenched hands is for Sudan , the two choices facing voters in Abyei referendum.
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A voter proudly shows the indelible ink on her index finger, showing that she has already taken part in the referendum.
More than 99 percent of respondents voted to join South Sudan.
Both the Sudan and South Sudan governments, along with the African Union that is playing a mediation role between the two, do not recognise the referendum.
There are concerns the referendum could stoke more violence, but for most people of Abyei, life is expected to follow its normal course despite the referendum results.