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Sudan and South Sudan in fierce oil border clashes Sudan and South Sudan in fierce oil border clashes
(40 minutes later)
Clashes have broken out in oil-rich border areas between Sudan and South Sudan in what has been called the biggest confrontation since the countries split last July.Clashes have broken out in oil-rich border areas between Sudan and South Sudan in what has been called the biggest confrontation since the countries split last July.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir said his forces seized Heglig, a key oil field partially claimed by both sides. South Sudan President Salva Kiir said his forces had seized a key oil field - a claim denied by Sudan.
Sudan state radio says President Omar al-Bashir has put off next week's visit to South Sudan for a summit.Sudan state radio says President Omar al-Bashir has put off next week's visit to South Sudan for a summit.
The countries fought a long civil war before the South seceded from Sudan.The countries fought a long civil war before the South seceded from Sudan.
The nations disagree over several issues, of which the biggest is oil.The nations disagree over several issues, of which the biggest is oil.
Mr Bashir had been due to hold talks with Mr Kiir at the summit, which had been billed as sign of improved relations.Mr Bashir had been due to hold talks with Mr Kiir at the summit, which had been billed as sign of improved relations.
A spokesman for the South Sudan army said the clashes were the biggest confrontation since independence. Mr Kiir reportedly said his army had repulsed a Sudanese assault, and then taken over the oil fields in the area of Heglig, which is claimed by both sides.
The clashes prompted President Kiir to warn of war. The BBC's James Copnall, reporting from Khartoum, says an international security source claims there had been fighting in the oil fields and oil workers were being evacuated.
He said: "This morning the [Sudanese] air force came and bombed... areas in Unity state. Sudan said there were limited clashes along the border with South Sudanese troops.
The timing of this latest fighting - which South Sudan's military spokesman believes is the "biggest confrontation since independence" - must surely be linked to the summit that was due to take place in early April.The timing of this latest fighting - which South Sudan's military spokesman believes is the "biggest confrontation since independence" - must surely be linked to the summit that was due to take place in early April.
Early reports suggest President Omar al-Bashir will not now travel to Juba.Early reports suggest President Omar al-Bashir will not now travel to Juba.
That would represent a victory for the hard-liners in Khartoum, who have criticised the recent steps taken in the negotiations, and queried why President Bashir should attend the summit.That would represent a victory for the hard-liners in Khartoum, who have criticised the recent steps taken in the negotiations, and queried why President Bashir should attend the summit.
South Sudan believes this latest fighting was triggered by Khartoum, to sabotage the talks. Khartoum puts the blame squarely on Juba.South Sudan believes this latest fighting was triggered by Khartoum, to sabotage the talks. Khartoum puts the blame squarely on Juba.
One analyst in Sudan thinks the dimensions the fighting took actually reveals the tensions within South Sudan's political elite about how to handle Sudan.One analyst in Sudan thinks the dimensions the fighting took actually reveals the tensions within South Sudan's political elite about how to handle Sudan.
It will take time for a more complete picture of the clashes - which an international security source told the BBC reached the oil fields in Heglig - to emerge.It will take time for a more complete picture of the clashes - which an international security source told the BBC reached the oil fields in Heglig - to emerge.
But it is clear that the recent optimism created by negotiations in Addis Ababa and Khartoum has completely collapsed.But it is clear that the recent optimism created by negotiations in Addis Ababa and Khartoum has completely collapsed.
It blamed a Sudanese rebel group from the western Darfur region - the Justice and Equality Movement - for taking advantage of the situation to attack the Heglig area. A Sudanese Armed Forces spokesman denied there had been any fighting inside the oil fields.
A spokesman for the South Sudan army said the clashes were the biggest confrontation since independence.
The fighting prompted President Kiir to warn of war.
On Monday evening 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 [Sudanese] who are looking for it."Mr Kiir added: "It is a war that has been imposed on us again, but it is [Sudanese] who are looking for it."
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.
When the South seceded, it took most of the former Sudan's oil fields but all the pipelines still flow north, to the export terminal in Port Sudan.When the South seceded, it took most of the former Sudan's oil fields but all the pipelines still flow north, to the export terminal in Port Sudan.
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 regionsSudan: 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.
Are you in Sudan? Have you witnessed the clashes? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Sudan? Have you witnessed the clashes? Send us your comments using the form below.