New tensions on border of Sudan, South Sudan

March 28, 2012

Tensions are rising on the border that separates Sudan from newly independent South Sudan, after the Khartoum government sent bombers to the border, where ground troops of the two nations have clashed repeatedly.

South Sudan, which is predominantly Christian and animist, won its independence from the Islamic north after the longest and bloodiest of Africa’s civil wars, during which the Khartoum government regularly bombed civilian communities in the south. Since establishing an uneasy peace, the two sides have continued to quarrel over oil-rich regions on their border.

Representatives of the Khartoum regime said that they did not intend to bomb the territory of South Sudan, but charged the southern government with aiding rebels in the region. A meeting between the leaders of the two governments, Presidents Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan and Salva Kiir of South Sudan, had been scheduled to take place this week, but was postponed because of the latest clashes.

 

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Further information:

• Juba denounces new bombings, but Khartoum promises to stop the raids (Fides)