Local newsletters that were printed by people of the Abyei Area between Sudan and South Sudan have stopped printing, prompting calls for new publications.

Four papers have been available at times over the past few years, but none is currently operating.

“People in Abyei are calling for newspapers to start publishing in the region once more,” reported Abyei Today newsletter, adding, “Youth groups, in particular, say newspapers are needed.”

One youth group member, Kuol Wour Alei, said papers were vital for keeping people up to date, especially in terms of health education.

Abyei Makuac Chol, the editor of Abyei’s “Referendum” newspaper, which is no longer published, said the paper had been founded by individuals but had no financial support from official bodies and could not afford to keep going.

He hoped that publication would start again some time in the new year.

Deng Malek Ajuet, the director for cultural administration in the AAA’s media department, said there was little money to help newspapers in terms of ink, paper and printers, but said papers could resume publishing if those materials became available.