The governors and senior officials of the 17 southern, mostly Christian, states have met several times to discuss matters of mutual interest. The main issue at the moment is the 19 northern, mainly Moslem, northern states adoption of Islamic Sharia law, and how they are applying it to Christians as well as Moslems. The southern governors also discuss how oil money is allocated and separatist tendencies. Meanwhile, communal violence over aid from local oil companies had led to twenty kidnappings. More of these disputes are led by young men with automatic weapons.