In mid-May, fierce clashes between northern and southern troops in Abyei destroyed the town and sent as many as 100,000 people fleeing for safety.

• 这片油田引发争议的归属长期以来一直危及着反政府力量同喀土穆政府2005年为结束长达20多年内战而签署的脆弱的和平协议。