Political turmoil in Sudan has affected the economy of the disputed territory of Abyei, a local official said.

Sudan and South Sudan are disputing the oil-rich Abyei, an area inhabited by Arab Misseryia and Ngok Dinka communities.

Kon Manyiet Matiok, the local government minister of the Abyei Administrative Area, told Abyei Today programme on Tuesday that the events in Sudan have interrupted the flow of goods to the Amiet common market.

He said lack of consumer goods in the common market could force thousands of people to move to Abyei town, pointing out that they are also worried that the current situation could increase crime.

Meanwhile Ring Deng Nyok, a member of the Joint Peace Committee from the Ngok Dinka community, said a group of traders from the Misseriya tribe travelled to Al Fula town in Sudan’s Western Kordofan state for talks with authorities.

Discussions, he said, would focus on the return of goods to Amieth market.

Several traders in Amiet market have accused authorities in Al Fula town of detaining a number of trucks loaded with goods headed to the common market, resulting in the current scarcity of commodities.

The Amiet common market was established to sustain peace between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes in the area.