Tension between Sudan and South Sudan appeared to ease a bit Friday, with word that southern forces no longer occupy the Heglig oil fields, claimed by both sides. The countries gave different accounts of the withdrawal. South Sudan said it was commencing an orderly and voluntary pullout from Heglig immediately. However, Sudan’s ambassador to the […]
South Sudan Withdrawing From Heglig; Sudan Claims Victory
South Sudan to Withdraw From Heglig
South Sudan says it will pull its forces from the Heglig oil fields it seized from Sudan, following several days of growing international pressure. Speaking to reporters Friday in the south’s capital, Juba, a government spokesman said President Salva Kiir has ordered the withdrawal of troops from Heglig, also known as Panthou. On Thursday, U.N. […]
US: Sudan and South Sudan Want to Avoid All-Out War
The United States says Sudan and South Sudan want to find a way to avoid full-scale war as fighting continues along the two countries’ border. Following talks with officials of both governments, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Princeton Lyman told reporters Thursday that the two sides realize how costly war would be. “In the discussions […]
UN Chief: South Sudan Seizure of Heglig ‘Illegal’
The United Nations chief says South Sudan’s seizure of the Heglig oil fields is illegal and violates the sovereignty of neighboring Sudan. Speaking to reporters in New York Thursday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked South Sudan to remove its forces from the oil-rich border area, which is claimed by both countries. “I call on South Sudan […]
UN Chief: South Sudan Seizure of Heglig ‘Illegal’
The United Nations chief says South Sudan’s seizure of the Heglig oil fields is illegal and violates the sovereignty of neighboring Sudan. Speaking to reporters in New York Thursday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked South Sudan to remove its forces from the oil-rich border area, which is claimed by both countries. “I call on South Sudan […]
Sudan’s Bashir Escalates Threat of War Against South
Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir is threatening war against South Sudan, as fighting continues along the two countries’ border. On Wednesday, President Bashir vowed to crush South Sudan’s government, likening the south’s ruling SPLM party to an insect. Addressing another rally Thursday, he said Sudan will teach the south’s government “a lesson by force,” and vowed […]
South Sudan is World Bank’s Newest Member
South Sudan became the newest member of the World Bank on Wednesday when the country’s finance minister, Kosti Manibe Ngai, signed an agreement in Washington formalizing the country’s membership in the organization. South Sudan has suffered from decades of conflict, and the World Bank says the world’s newest country has some of the lowest levels […]
Khartoum Accuses South of Attack on New Front in Sudan
Fighting between Sudan and South Sudan has spread to a new town along the border, amid fears the countries will slide into full-scale war. Forces from both sides engaged in intense clashes from Tuesday night into Wednesday near the town of Meiram. The area is located inside Sudan’s Southern Kordofan state, near the border with […]
UN Security Council Considers Sanctions to Pressure Sudan, South Sudan
The United Nations Security Council says it is committed to making “every effort” to get Sudan and South Sudan to halt conflict and return to negotiations. After a closed briefing Tuesday, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, said the Security Council discussed potential sanctions to pressure the two countries to address a […]
Sudanese Parliament Calls South Sudan an ‘Enemy’
Sudan’s parliament has declared South Sudan an “enemy” amid escalated violence along the countries’ shared border. After the vote Monday in Khartoum, South Sudanese Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin rejected the decision, saying his country is not an enemy of Sudan. Rabie Abdelati Obeid, a prominent member of Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party, told VOA […]