South Sudanese rebel group SPLM-IO have declared that the disputed Abyei Area between Sudan and South Sudan is a South Sudanese state, according to Edward Lino, who is both a member of the rebel group and Ngok Dinka politician.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Lino said that the decision to declare Abyei a state reflects the desire of the citizens of the area, who held a community referendum in October 2013 declaring they would like to join South Sudan, with 99% in favor of union with the south.

Neither the Sudanese nor South Sudanese government recognized the outcome of the referendum.

SPLM-IO recently announced a plan to re-divide South Sudan’s ten states into 21 states. The government has criticized the plan for dividing states along ethnic lines. Abyei is one of those named as a state.

“Abyei is confirmed to be among the 21 states of South Sudan. The citizens of Abyei have declared before this in the previous unilateral referendum,” said Lino.

Meanwhile, however, a special committee for issuing Sudanese nationality numbers in Sudan has reportedly decided to issue more than 5,000 Sudanese nationality cards to Ngok Dinka living in Khartoum.  

The national number certificates will enable them to vote in the general elections in Sudan, which is expected to take place in April this year.

Ngok Dinka tribal leader Zakaria Atem revealed in a statement to the media in the Sudanese capital Khartoum that Abyei citizens residing in Khartoum have all received their national number certificates and they are ready to exercise their constitutional rights of participating in the upcoming elections.

Atem further pointed to the start of registration of 4,000 others in West Kordofan in preparation for issuing them Sudan national number certificates.