Non-aggression pact welcomed between Sudan, S Sudan

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday hailed the signing of a treaty of non-aggression between Sudan and South Sudan over their disputed border.

Ban “welcomes the signing of a memorandum of understanding on non-aggression and cooperation between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan in Addis Ababa on 10 February 2012,” a UN statement said.

The UN chief “urges both governments to maintain the positive spirit that led to the signature ... and abide by its provisions”.

The neighbouring nations were in African Union-led negotiations on Friday in Addis Ababa.

According to the pact, the two sides agreed to have “respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and to “refrain from launching any attack, including bombardment”.

Border tensions have mounted since South Sudan split from Sudan in July, becoming the world’s newest nation.

Negotiations between the two former civil war foes have been marred by eruptions of violence along the border, including in the contested Abyei and Blue Nile states.

South Sudan took three quarters of Sudan’s oil when it gained independence but all pipeline and export facilities are controlled by the north. Last month, the South halted oil production after Juba accused Khartoum of stealing $815-million worth of crude oil.—AFP