Abyei's referendum, due like the south's on 9th January, cannot now happen on time.  All agree on that one thing at least.


What happens now is not so clear. 

Talks continue on what Sudan will look like after the referendum for the south, but diplomats say that neither party in north or south are expecting solutions before the vote takes place.

That means the negotiations will continue once the choice of the south has been made, to decide the issues such as border, wealth and debt sharing, oil resources, currency, international treaties, security  and citizenship.

Abyei, without the referendum it was promised, is wrapped up in those deals. Tensions on the ground are high.

Foreign reporters returning from visits there in recent weeks have been jittery with gloomy predications

Amidst that, an interesting -- and similarly gloomy -- report of voices from the ground, here, and in the image above.  Three Sudanese journalists travelled to Abyei and Muglad in Southern Kordofan to hear what the people are saying. 

Declaring an interest in an editing role, it is an rare look at what ordinary people are thinking, including importantly, the voices of the Misseriya.