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Sudan and South Sudan leaders discuss oil and borders Sudan and South Sudan leaders discuss oil and borders
(about 13 hours later)
The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan have held direct talks in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa aimed at resolving long-running disputes. The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan have resumed talks in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa aimed at resolving long-running disputes.
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and his South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir met for almost two hours late on Sunday ahead of long-delayed talks.Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and his South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir met for almost two hours late on Sunday ahead of long-delayed talks.
Differences over borders, oil revenues and the disputed region of Abyei took them to the brink of war in April.Differences over borders, oil revenues and the disputed region of Abyei took them to the brink of war in April.
The UN has threatened sanctions if the latest talks do not produce a deal.The UN has threatened sanctions if the latest talks do not produce a deal.
South Sudan seceded from Sudan last year following a long civil war in which two million people died - but serious disputes between the two countries remain.South Sudan seceded from Sudan last year following a long civil war in which two million people died - but serious disputes between the two countries remain.
The BBC's James Copnall in Addis Ababa said very little information had filtered out from Sunday night's direct talks. The BBC's James Copnall in Addis Ababa says the first phase of Monday's vital summit did not last long.
Afterwards, the two men appeared together, smiling and looking relaxed. Less than an hour after the presidents sat down with the African Union mediators and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, the delegations returned to the hotel they are both staying at, he says.
Demilitarised zoneDemilitarised zone
A Sudanese official told the BBC the chief negotiators will now meet to iron out some differences.
The leaders are expected to meet again later on Monday.
The Sudanese official said the main sticking point concerned the so-called "14 mile area", on which agreement is needed for a demilitarised buffer zone to be set up.
Other issues on the table include the region of Abyei, which is claimed by both sides, how much South Sudan should pay Khartoum for transporting its oil and demarcating the common border.
A South Sudanese minister told the BBC precise wording in the proposed agreement was being worked out.
The two men also met on Sunday night.
Afterwards, they appeared together, smiling and looking relaxed.
Mr Kiir told South Sudanese state media he hoped for a "celebration" after meeting Mr Bashir.Mr Kiir told South Sudanese state media he hoped for a "celebration" after meeting Mr Bashir.
Previously, spokesmen for both negotiating teams said substantial progress had been made on many of the issues. The UN Security Council has called for urgent agreement on a demilitarised border zone.
The main summit, which begins on Monday, is expected to bring together both presidents, a few key advisers, an African Union mediating team and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. UN head Ban Ki-moon called for "co-operation and mutual development", and the US said Sudan should agree to an African Union border plan already accepted by South Sudan.
The UN Security Council has called for urgent agreement on a demilitarised border zone - another issue hotly disputed by the two countries.
Mr Ban called for "co-operation and mutual development", and the US said Sudan should agree to an African Union border plan already accepted by South Sudan.
Last month, the two countries agreed to re-open their land border after a closure lasting more than a year.Last month, the two countries agreed to re-open their land border after a closure lasting more than a year.
However, the border remains unmarked.However, the border remains unmarked.
At independence in July 2011, the South gained two-thirds of the region's oil while Sudan retained the processing and export facilities. At independence in July 2011, the South gained two-thirds of the former country's oil while Sudan retained the processing and export facilities.
In January, the South shut down oil production, accusing Sudan of stealing its oil, and the two countries' economies have been damaged as a result. In January, the South shut down oil production, accusing Sudan of stealing its oil, and the two countries' economies have been seriously damaged as a result.
Negotiating teams said they had made progress on several of the outstanding issues before the heads of state arrived.Negotiating teams said they had made progress on several of the outstanding issues before the heads of state arrived.
The hope is that some degree of progress will encourage South Sudan to restart oil production, providing much needed revenue to both countries, our correspondent says.The hope is that some degree of progress will encourage South Sudan to restart oil production, providing much needed revenue to both countries, our correspondent says.
Foreign diplomats are cautiously optimistic and exerting gentle pressure on both sides, he adds.Foreign diplomats are cautiously optimistic and exerting gentle pressure on both sides, he adds.
Delegations from the two states have been in Addis Ababa for talks since 4 September.Delegations from the two states have been in Addis Ababa for talks since 4 September.
An ambassador quoted by Reuters news agency over the weekend said it was unlikely the two leaders would agree on borders although a deal on resuming oil exports was possible.An ambassador quoted by Reuters news agency over the weekend said it was unlikely the two leaders would agree on borders although a deal on resuming oil exports was possible.
"The borders will take forever," the unnamed diplomat said. "They will exchange maps with experts, visit each other, go maybe into arbitration.""The borders will take forever," the unnamed diplomat said. "They will exchange maps with experts, visit each other, go maybe into arbitration."
South Sudan, where people chiefly follow the Christian faith or traditional indigenous religions, fought for decades with mainly Muslim Sudan.South Sudan, where people chiefly follow the Christian faith or traditional indigenous religions, fought for decades with mainly Muslim Sudan.
Sudan: A country divided Show regionsSudan: A country divided Show regions
Both Sudan and the South are reliant on their oil revenues, which account for 98% of South Sudan's budget. But the two countries cannot agree how to divide the oil wealth of the former united state. Some 75% of the oil lies in the South but all the pipelines run north. It is feared that disputes over oil could lead the two neighbours to return to war.Both Sudan and the South are reliant on their oil revenues, which account for 98% of South Sudan's budget. But the two countries cannot agree how to divide the oil wealth of the former united state. Some 75% of the oil lies in the South but all the pipelines run north. It is feared that disputes over oil could lead the two neighbours to return to war.
Although they were united for many years, the two Sudans were always very different. The great divide 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.Although they were united for many years, the two Sudans were always very different. The great divide 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 the two Sudans, 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 the two Sudans, 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 both countries. 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 both countries. 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.