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Sudanese leaders Bashir and Kiir to meet in Ethiopia Sudanese leaders Bashir and Kiir to meet in Ethiopia
(about 4 hours later)
The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan are to meet to address disputes that brought them close to war following the South's independence in 2011.The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan are to meet to address disputes that brought them close to war following the South's independence in 2011.
President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and Salva Kiir of South Sudan are set to discuss speeding up the implementation of a deal reached last September. Presidents Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and Salva Kiir of South Sudan are set to discuss speeding up the implementation of a deal reached last September.
The talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, follow reports of renewed clashes on the disputed border.The talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, follow reports of renewed clashes on the disputed border.
Tensions over oil and security brought them to the brink of war last April.Tensions over oil and security brought them to the brink of war last April.
Western governments have urged both sides immediately to withdraw their forces from what is intended to be a demilitarised border zone.Western governments have urged both sides immediately to withdraw their forces from what is intended to be a demilitarised border zone.
The two men have arrived in Addis Ababa and have begun separate meetings with Ethiopian mediators.
Oil disputeOil dispute
In September, the two men agreed to set up a demilitarised buffer zone, but some parts of the deal - such as resolving an ongoing dispute over oil - have yet to be implemented.In September, the two men agreed to set up a demilitarised buffer zone, but some parts of the deal - such as resolving an ongoing dispute over oil - have yet to be implemented.
One of the most critical issues has been the halt in oil production in the land-locked South due to a disagreement over pipeline fees, says BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles. Former BBC Sudan correspondent James Copnall says that, at the time, the deal was hailed as a great step forward by the African Union and the UN, among others.
Both side blames the other for the lack of progress.
One of the most critical issues has been the halt in oil production in the land-locked South due to a disagreement over pipeline fees.
The oil is exported northwards to Sudan where it can be refined. But since the shutdown of operations, neither country has been able to reap any economic benefit from the oil.The oil is exported northwards to Sudan where it can be refined. But since the shutdown of operations, neither country has been able to reap any economic benefit from the oil.
At the September meeting, South Sudan agreed to resume the production of oil but this has not yet happened.At the September meeting, South Sudan agreed to resume the production of oil but this has not yet happened.
Another point of contention is the flashpoint region of Abyei, which is claimed by both sides. It lies on their border and is inhabited both by nomadic herdsmen who are loyal to Sudan and other groups who are closely linked to the South.Another point of contention is the flashpoint region of Abyei, which is claimed by both sides. It lies on their border and is inhabited both by nomadic herdsmen who are loyal to Sudan and other groups who are closely linked to the South.
South Sudan, where people chiefly follow the Christian faith or traditional indigenous religions, gained independence in 2011 after more than two decades of civil war with the mainly Muslim north.South Sudan, where people chiefly follow the Christian faith or traditional indigenous religions, gained independence in 2011 after more than two decades of civil war with the mainly Muslim north.
Both sides also accuse the other of supporting rebel groups on its territory.Both sides also accuse the other of supporting rebel groups on its territory.
The latest accusation by South Sudan that the authorities in Khartoum have launched fresh ground and air attacks in Western Bahr el-Ghazal will do little to calm the atmosphere as the two presidents prepare to meet, adds our correspondent. In the days before this summit, South Sudan accused its northern neighbour of fresh attacks near the border.
This, though, has become a pattern in the run-up to meetings between the two countries and is unlikely to affect the debates too much, says our correspondent.
The intention of the summit is to break the deadlock over the agreements which have already been signed, he says, adding that it is probably too much to ask for any progress on the outstanding issues.
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.