evidence: Abyei (also spelled Abyēy; Arabic: أبيي) is a border town currently in the Abyei Area that is disputed by South Sudan and the Sudan. The U.N. estimated the town's population at around 20,000 previous to May 2011 events.[1] The oil-producing and fertile Abyei Area, with Abyei town as its center, is a disputed territorial point of contention in the July 2011 secession of South Sudan process.[1] [...] 2011 [edit]Abyei referendum [edit]Whether Abyei Area and town would remain part of the South Kordofan region of northern Sudan or become part of the Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan (Republic of South Sudan) was to be decided by a local referendum in 2011.[4] Disagreements over the process, and the recent violent takeover, raise questions whether a vote will be held.[1]