This timeline provides a schematic chronicle of events from through the Abyei Protocol to the present [1], with particular emphasis on the period between October and May Dates and events in this timeline become progressively more detailed and analytic. The referendum is never held, as oil is discovered in the region and the Nimieri regime in Khartoum abrogates the Addis agreement in Reports of sporadic raids and killings by Misseriya Arab groups from the North are subsequently continuous.
Fighting becomes particularly intense, with massive civilian destruction and displacement, in —the year before the National Islamic Front begins significant crude oil exports. The agreement largely holds, although there are significant violations of the agreement prior to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement The terms of the referendum provide as an option for Abyei to join the South.
It includes the Abyei Protocol, which stipulates that an Abyei Boundaries Commission be created to undertake the work of delineating the borders of the area that will vote in the self-determination referendum. Their work will be final and binding.
The Commission has been chosen equally by Khartoum and Juba; all members are distinguished students of Sudan and its history. In fact, the Commission was extraordinarily scrupulous in its research and findings. Major responsibility for the destruction and violence is assigned by all observers to the notorious SAF 31st Brigade.
Aerial bombardment of civilian targets was also authoritatively reported. July 22, : The Permanent Court of Arbitration announces its finding, delineating Abyei in such a fashion as to reduce its size most notably in the east and removing the highly productive Heglig and Bamboo oil sites from the newly delineated region.
