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S Sudan conflict: Sudan president to meet Salva Kiir | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has travelled to Juba for talks with President Salva Kiir over the conflict in South Sudan, state media say. | |
Fighting is continuing in South Sudan as the warring parties meet in Ethiopia to try to agree a ceasefire. So far no substantive progress has been made. | Fighting is continuing in South Sudan as the warring parties meet in Ethiopia to try to agree a ceasefire. So far no substantive progress has been made. |
The conflict pits supporters of Mr Kiir against rebels led by his sacked deputy, Riek Machar. | The conflict pits supporters of Mr Kiir against rebels led by his sacked deputy, Riek Machar. |
At least 1,000 people have been killed since violence erupted on 15 December. | At least 1,000 people have been killed since violence erupted on 15 December. |
The unrest started after South Sudan's president accused Mr Machar of attempting a coup - which he denies. | The unrest started after South Sudan's president accused Mr Machar of attempting a coup - which he denies. |
Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced in the conflict, which has taken on ethnic undertones. Mr Kiir is from the majority Dinka community and Mr Machar from the Nuer group. | |
'Peaceful resolution' | |
State media in Sudan reported that President Bashir left for the South Sudanese capital, Juba, on Monday to discuss the crisis with Mr Kiir - accompanied by a team of senior ministers. | |
Earlier, the foreign ministry spokesman in Khartoum reaffirmed Sudan's wish to see "a continuation of the political process aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in South Sudan", according to AFP news agency. | |
Sudan relies on revenue from oil transported through its southern neighbours' pipelines, which Khartoum fears will be disrupted by the fighting. | |
Up until Friday, the talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, were conducted by mediators. Now, teams representing the opposing factions in South Sudan are expected to negotiate face-to-face. | Up until Friday, the talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, were conducted by mediators. Now, teams representing the opposing factions in South Sudan are expected to negotiate face-to-face. |
A preliminary meeting was held late on Saturday. Key issues are establishing a ceasefire, and the rebels' demand for the release of what they see as political prisoners. | A preliminary meeting was held late on Saturday. Key issues are establishing a ceasefire, and the rebels' demand for the release of what they see as political prisoners. |
But substantive talks failed to get under way on Sunday, delayed by disagreements over the agenda and - an official was quoted as saying - by "protocol issues". | But substantive talks failed to get under way on Sunday, delayed by disagreements over the agenda and - an official was quoted as saying - by "protocol issues". |
It seems each side is trying to gain as much leverage on the battlefield before they even consider a ceasefire, says the BBC's Africa editor Richard Hamilton. | It seems each side is trying to gain as much leverage on the battlefield before they even consider a ceasefire, says the BBC's Africa editor Richard Hamilton. |
International mediators may be losing patience with South Sudan's leaders whose delays are costing hundreds of lives, he says. | International mediators may be losing patience with South Sudan's leaders whose delays are costing hundreds of lives, he says. |
It is now hoped talks will begin in earnest on Monday. | It is now hoped talks will begin in earnest on Monday. |
Fresh fighting | |
Heavy fighting is continuing to the south of Bor, one of two cities held by rebels, says the BBC's Alastair Leithead, who is on the road between Juba and Bor. | |
The rebels are a former military division made up of thousands of men who switched sides, our correspondent says. | |
Until a ceasefire is agreed, fighting is expected to continue or even intensify, he adds. | |
On Sunday, a South Sudanese army general was killed when a government convoy was ambushed. | |
South Sudan is the world's newest state. It was formed in 2011, gaining independence from Sudan after decades of conflict. | South Sudan is the world's newest state. It was formed in 2011, gaining independence from Sudan after decades of conflict. |
The latest trouble has its roots in tensions that go back long before 2011. | The latest trouble has its roots in tensions that go back long before 2011. |