MTN Company has extended mobile telecommunications coverage to citizens in the contested area of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, several citizens in Abyei expressed their satisfaction with the introduction of the MTN service to the area as of the first day of Eid al Fitr.

The availability of coverage on the +211 network for South Sudan is new, since previously local residents only could call to South Sudan using Sudan’s +249 numbers.

Abyei County Commissioner Nyanajuac Akol told Radio Tamazuj Friday that the MTN Company made available phone networks for Abyei natives as of last Monday.

She said local residents were very excited about the new network as an alternative to the coverage previously only provided by Zain Sudan.

“The company has availed various denominations of scratch cards. So I call for more services to the Abyei people” Akol said.