South Sudan accuses Sudan of bombing its territory

 
South Sudan said on Wednesday that Sudanese warplanes had bombed its territory, killing one civilian and wounding four others, a fresh setback to plans to resume cross-border oil flows.               

Sudan and South Sudan agreed in September to end hostilities and restart vital southern oil exports through Sudan after coming close to war in April, the worst violence since the south became independent in July 2011.                                                       

But relations have soured again in the past few days after both sides failed to agree on how to move their forces back from the unmarked joint border, something both had said must happen before oil exports resume.                        

South Sudan's army said Sudanese warplanes had bombed its side of the border, the first such accusation since the September deal.                         

There was no immediate comment from Sudan, which has previously denied bombing the South although Reuters has witnessed several air strikes.                         
Sudan says rebels fighting the Khartoum government operate from south of the border, something analysts find credible despite denials from Juba.                   Any delay to a resumption of the oil trade would be a serious blow to both countries.                            

Sudan benefits from South Sudan's oil exports because Juba has to pay a fee for using northern pipelines and a Red Sea port. Juba halted production in January because of disputes over pipeline fees with Sudan.     


REUTERS