[Al Jazeera] A tribal leader in Sudan's flashpoint region of Abyei has given a war warning, six days before south Sudan votes on whether to split from the north.
Bishtina Mohammed El Salam of the Misseriya, one of two dominant tribes in Abyei, said his people will not accept joining the south following the January 9 referendum.
His tribe shares the region with the Dinka, who say they want to join the south.
"If the Dinka take this decision - to annex Abyei to the south - there will be an immediate war without any excuse," El Salam told Al Jizz.
"We think they should be reasonable and think about it. They should know that those who are pushing them to take that decision will not give them any back-up."
Under a 2005 peace agreement, a separate referendum is to be held for Abyei's people to opt to join the north or the south.
But issues over borders and residency rights have delayed that vote, which was due on January 9th. 
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