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| Sudan and South Sudan in fierce border clashes | Sudan and South Sudan in fierce border clashes |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Clashes have broken out between the armed forces of Sudan and South Sudan in several disputed border regions, both sides say. | Clashes have broken out between the armed forces of Sudan and South Sudan in several disputed border regions, both sides say. |
| A spokesman for the South Sudan army says it is the biggest confrontation since independence. | A spokesman for the South Sudan army says it is the biggest confrontation since independence. |
| South Sudan seceded from Sudan last July after a long civil war. The nations have several outstanding issues, of which the biggest is oil. | South Sudan seceded from Sudan last July after a long civil war. The nations have several outstanding issues, of which the biggest is oil. |
| Sudan state radio says President Bashir has now put off a visit to South Sudan. | |
| He had been due to hold a summit next week with the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir. | |
| The clashes prompted President Kiir to warn of war. | |
| He said: "This morning the [Sudanese] air force came and bombed... areas in Unity state. | He said: "This morning the [Sudanese] air force came and bombed... areas in Unity state. |
| "After this intensive bombardment our forces.... were attacked by the [Sudan Armed Forces] and militia." | "After this intensive bombardment our forces.... were attacked by the [Sudan Armed Forces] and militia." |
| Mr Kiir added: "It is a war that has been imposed on us again, but it is [Sudan] who are looking for it." | Mr Kiir added: "It is a war that has been imposed on us again, but it is [Sudan] who are looking for it." |
| He said Southern forces had taken over the key oil field of Heglig, parts of which are claimed by both sides. | He said Southern forces had taken over the key oil field of Heglig, parts of which are claimed by both sides. |
| Oil dispute | Oil dispute |
| The South also reported Khartoum had attacked the disputed areas of Jau and Pan Akuach, and Teshwin inside South Sudan. | The South also reported Khartoum had attacked the disputed areas of Jau and Pan Akuach, and Teshwin inside South Sudan. |
| Sudan's army spokesman, Sawarmi Khalid Saad, confirmed fighting in the border area of Sudan's South Kordofan state and the southern Unity state, without giving the exact locations. | Sudan's army spokesman, Sawarmi Khalid Saad, confirmed fighting in the border area of Sudan's South Kordofan state and the southern Unity state, without giving the exact locations. |
| "The clashes there are still ongoing," he said. | "The clashes there are still ongoing," he said. |
| In January, South Sudan shut down all of its oil fields in a row over the fees Sudan demands to transit the oil. | In January, South Sudan shut down all of its oil fields in a row over the fees Sudan demands to transit the oil. |
| South Sudan depends on oil sales for 98% of state revenues, but pledged not to restart production until a deal was reached. | South Sudan depends on oil sales for 98% of state revenues, but pledged not to restart production until a deal was reached. |
| Parts of the countries' common border also remain in dispute. | Parts of the countries' common border also remain in dispute. |
| In February, the two states agreed to demarcate most of the border within three months, although this would exclude five disputed areas. | In February, the two states agreed to demarcate most of the border within three months, although this would exclude five disputed areas. |
| Sudan: A country divided Show regions | Sudan: A country divided Show regions |
| The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. South Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest. | The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. South Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest. |
| Sudan's arid north is mainly home to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in South Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own languages and traditional beliefs, alongside Christianity and Islam. | Sudan's arid north is mainly home to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in South Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own languages and traditional beliefs, alongside Christianity and Islam. |
| The health inequalities in Sudan are illustrated by infant mortality rates. In South Sudan, one in 10 children die before their first birthday. Whereas in the more developed northern states, such as Gezira and White Nile, half of those children would be expected to survive. | The health inequalities in Sudan are illustrated by infant mortality rates. In South Sudan, one in 10 children die before their first birthday. Whereas in the more developed northern states, such as Gezira and White Nile, half of those children would be expected to survive. |
| The gulf in water resources between north and south is stark. In Khartoum, River Nile, and Gezira states, two-thirds of people have access to piped drinking water and pit latrines. In the south, boreholes and unprotected wells are the main drinking sources. More than 80% of southerners have no toilet facilities whatsoever. | The gulf in water resources between north and south is stark. In Khartoum, River Nile, and Gezira states, two-thirds of people have access to piped drinking water and pit latrines. In the south, boreholes and unprotected wells are the main drinking sources. More than 80% of southerners have no toilet facilities whatsoever. |
| Throughout Sudan, access to primary school education is strongly linked to household earnings. In the poorest parts of the south, less than 1% of children finish primary school. Whereas in the wealthier north, up to 50% of children complete primary level education. | Throughout Sudan, access to primary school education is strongly linked to household earnings. In the poorest parts of the south, less than 1% of children finish primary school. Whereas in the wealthier north, up to 50% of children complete primary level education. |
| Conflict and poverty are the main causes of food insecurity in Sudan. The residents of war-affected Darfur and South Sudan are still greatly dependent on food aid. Far more than in northern states, which tend to be wealthier, more urbanised and less reliant on agriculture. | Conflict and poverty are the main causes of food insecurity in Sudan. The residents of war-affected Darfur and South Sudan are still greatly dependent on food aid. Far more than in northern states, which tend to be wealthier, more urbanised and less reliant on agriculture. |
| Sudan exports billions of dollars of oil per year. Southern states produce more than 80% of it, but receive only 50% of the revenue. The pipelines run north but the two sides have still not agreed how to share the oil wealth in the future. | Sudan exports billions of dollars of oil per year. Southern states produce more than 80% of it, but receive only 50% of the revenue. The pipelines run north but the two sides have still not agreed how to share the oil wealth in the future. |