Sudan, S. Sudan extend agreement on transit of humanitarian aid

KHARTOUM, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sudan and South Sudan agreed Sunday to extend their agreement on transit of humanitarian aid through Sudanese territory in the South, Sudan's tribune reported.

Khartoum and Juba signed the agreement on transit of humanitarian aid via Sudanese territory in the South in 2014.

Both sides agreed to extend the agreement for a further six months as of Jan. 10 until the end of June, said the report.

"Well-informed of the food shortages South Sudanese citizens are living through, Sudan agreed to deliver humanitarian aid to the South via its territories," Ali Al-Sadiq, Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman, was quoted as saying.

He reiterated Sudan's aspiration to decrease South Sudanese citizens' suffering, a byproduct of the conflict in their country.

South Sudan plunged into violence in December 2013, as fighting erupted between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and defectors led by his former deputy, Riek Machar.

The conflict quickly developed into a full-fledged war, with violence assuming an ethnic facet, setting president's Dinka tribe against Machar's Nuer's ethnic group.

The clashes killed thousands of South Sudanese and forced 1.9 million others to flee their homes.

A joint technical committee including Sudan, South Sudan and the World Food Programme (WFP) will supervise the humanitarian aid transport to the South via land, air and river routes.

South Sudan is facing severe food scarcity due to the new state's ongoing civil war.