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Sudanese leaders Bashir and Kiir to meet in Ethiopia Sudanese leaders Bashir and Kiir commit to buffer zone
(1 day 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 have reaffirmed their commitment to setting up a buffer zone on their shared border and resuming oil exports.
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. African Union mediator Thabo Mbeki said both sides had agreed "unconditionally" to implement a deal first struck in September.
The talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, follow reports of renewed clashes on the disputed border. Presidents Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and Salva Kiir of South Sudan smiled and shook hands, but made no comment.
Tensions over oil and security brought them to the brink of war last April. The neighbours came close to war after the South's independence in 2011.
Western governments have urged both sides immediately to withdraw their forces from what is intended to be a demilitarised border zone. The talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, followed reports of renewed clashes on the disputed border.
The two men have arrived in Addis Ababa and have begun separate meetings with Ethiopian mediators. African Union mediators will now lay out a timetable for the implementation of all outstanding agreements, according to an official document seen by the BBC.
Oil dispute This is expected to be in place by the end of next week, and if the timetable is respected, a demilitarised buffer zone between the two countries will be set up.
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. That would allow the resumption of oil exports from the south and of cross-border trade.
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. "They've... agreed that actions should be taken immediately - or maybe as soon as possible - to implement all the existing agreements unconditionally," Mr Mbeki said.
Both side blames the other for the lack of progress. "The presidents have also agreed that... the necessary decisions are taken to create the safe demilitarised border zone."
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. BBC Sudan reporter James Copnall says there appears to have been some limited progress on the disputed Abyei region, including a commitment to set up a joint administration for the area, as well as on several other outstanding issues.
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. But he adds that in essence both leaders have simply agreed to implement deals they had already signed - and the fact that this is necessary gives an indication of just how bad the relationship is between the two Sudans.
At the September meeting, South Sudan agreed to resume the production of oil but this has not yet happened. The South shut down its own production a year ago as part of a row with Khartoum about how much it should pay to export its oil through Sudan.
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. The flashpoint region of Abyei 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.
Tensions over oil and security brought the two sides to the brink of war last April.
At a meeting in September the buffer zone was agreed and South Sudan said it would resume the production of oil, but the deal was not implemented.
Both sides blamed the other for the lack of progress.
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.
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.