South Sudan: Sudan denies attacking South Sudan territories - Afrique en Ligue

Sudan on Monday described as 'false and unfounded' claims by South Sudan that Khartoum was attacking and occupying Southern Sudan territories. 'Claims by the government of South Sudan that the Sudan was occupying areas inside its national territories are all false and unfounded,' a statement issued by the  government delegation in Addis Ababa on Monday said. The statement was reacting to statements by a South Sudan official spokesperson that Sudan was attacking and occupying territories in its southern neighbour.

'The Government of South Sudan has led direct military offensive against Higlig area (South Kordufan state on the borderline with South Sudan). This area is well inside the Sudanese national territories. It was unfortunate that the President of South Sudan State (Salva Kiir) has himself announced this publicly.

'This occurred at the time the two sides were working to restore the situation to normalcy  in line with the new trend, based on mutual trust and mutual security that was agreed upon during the past round of negotiation in Addis Ababa.'

The statement said: 'Even today there is an intensive attack against the area of Higlig, currently going at this very moment inside the Sudanese national territories, after forces from South Sudan crossed the international borderline into the Sudanese national territories.'

However, it stressed, despite all citied incursions, and in spite of the prevailing tension between the two countries, and the 'existing non-conducive circumstances of deliberate military and media escalations on the part of the government of South Sudan,' Sudan, nevertheless, brought to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a high level and fully authorized delegation, to discuss all issues on the agenda. 

'In conclusion we would like to underline that the choice for the Government of Sudan remains that of dialogue for handling all issues and for a peaceful coexistence between the two states, and to work together for a prosperous relation on all issues.'

Khartoum and Juba have been trading accusations of military incursions on the borderline near the oil rich region southwest of Khartoum. Both sides concede that clashes are still going on in that region, but still they went to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for talks under the African Union supervision.

Last week a South Sudan delegation came to Khartoum to prepare for a visit by President Omar al-Bashir to Juba, capital of South Sudan, to review post-secession questions.  The visit was, however, shelved after Khartoum said South Sudan troops attacked a border area. 

On Monday, a South Sudanese official claimed Sudan bombarded an area inside the South.

Pana 03/04/2012