Demonstrators march for the inclusion of Abyei in the future South Sudan

The procession on 10 May was accompanied by hundreds of students backing the various groups.

Deng MadingThe memo was read to the assembly by the deputy chair of the Abyei Referendum Forum, Deng Mading, who said the people of Southern Sudan affirm that Abyei is part of their future nation. The memo also appealed to the legislators to provide security to the residents of Abyei and to demand the implementation of the Abyei Protocol, which assures a plebescite for the people in the region to determine the land's future status.

Peter Atem, chair of the GEBU Forum, a civil society organisation, spoke in favour of the Abyei referendum. We are peacefully demonstrating because we want Abyei to vote in May or June," he said. "We need Abyei in South Sudan by July."

The disputed, oil-rich region is in a tug-of-war between the northern government in Khartoum and Southern Sudan, whose independence is effective 9 July.

Deng TielDeng Tiel Ayuen, the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee chair, said citizens were right to demonstrate on the issue, adding that the assembly is greatly concerned about the future of Abyei.

Any Southern Sudanese has the right to come to the assembly to tell his or her opinion on the constitution,” Tiel said.

Belbek Deng Kuol, an elder from the ethnic Ngok Dinka, said Abyei belongs to Southern Sudan. Abyei is for Dinka,” he said. Are there Dinka in the North?”

President Omar al-Bashir has said he will not recognise the south's independence if Abyei is included in the new nation's constitution.

The demonstrators said they will distribute similar memos to the Council of Ministers, the UN, the African Union and diplomatic consulates in Juba.