JUBA, Sudan (AFP) - The semi-autonomous government in southern Sudan on Friday accused the Arab north of underfunding a key committee tasked with delineating the border between the two former warring parties."Only 7.5 million dollars was released for the committee," southern information minister Changson Chang told reporters.
"There were some works that couldn't be completed because money was not released," Chang said. "Documents, maps from the Republic of Egypt were not released because some money was not released to the committee."
North-south border demarcation is considered vital to the 2005 peace agreement that ended two decades of civil war and to a scheduled referendum in 2011, which would determine whether the south separates from the north.
Fighting last month in Abyei, the most contested border region, was seen as the biggest threat to the Sudanese peace process that ended a devastating war in which more than 1.5 million people were killed.
Chang spoke after a day-long briefing to the southern cabinet by members of the Sudan border demarcation committee.
Experts consider information from Egypt, as well as former colonial rulers Britain and the Ottoman Empire, key to the border demarcation.
Failure to demarcate the border was a factor in southern ex-rebels pulling out of the national coalition government in late last year, which prompted Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir to order the work to start in February.
"Money should be released to carry out activities, including getting documents from Cairo," said Chang.
Under the 2005 peace deal, the south was offered a six-year transitional period of regional autonomy and participation in a unity government until a 2011 referendum on whether to break way.
Newer articles:
- South Sudan puts military on standby over Ugandan rebels - 02/07/2008 13:51
- Breaking News: Cargo plane destined for Juba crashes in Khartoum - 30/06/2008 10:28
- Why Southerners Want Obama to Lose White House Bid - 30/06/2008 10:22
- Sudan's SPLM condemns attacks against its Secretary General - 30/06/2008 10:15
- Sudan cargo plane crashes north of the southern town of Malakal - 28/06/2008 15:41
Older news items
- SPLA Air Force: Hope for South Sudan Independence - 26/06/2008 03:00
- Curse to Egypt for Spoiling Southerners to Become Gangs - 25/06/2008 21:47
- South Sudan lawmakers approve creation of air force - 25/06/2008 20:21
- Cracks in North-South Peace Deal - 25/06/2008 18:17
- UN Security Council welcomes Abyei 'roadmap' agreement - 25/06/2008 18:02
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan lawyers petition against extension of transitional period - 26/09/2024 12:37
- South Sudan military blames rebel group for deadly bus attack - 26/09/2024 12:33
- South Sudan medics trial AI app to identify snakes and improve bite treatment - 26/09/2024 12:31
- South Sudan: extension of transitional government will compound dire human rights crisis - UN experts - 26/09/2024 12:26
- Aiding Flood Victims in South Sudan, Faith Leaders Work on Long-Term Solutions - 26/09/2024 12:21
Random articles (all categories):
- Sudan, South Sudan reach oil deal, exports await border deal - KGMI - 04/08/2012 08:48
- WFP South Sudan Situation Report #313, 30 May 2023 - 21/07/2023 10:52
- South Sudan extradites a murderer to Somali. - Mareeg - 27/01/2013 10:33
- Sudan Opposition Leader Accepts Talks With Government - 03/01/2016 23:43
- Mass disarmament begins in South Sudan - 11/02/2009 12:39
Popular articles:
- The Final Communique of SPLM-DC Third Session of the National Council - 29/03/2011 01:00 - Read 75680 times
- Roles and Definition of Political Parties - 29/04/2011 01:00 - Read 59968 times
- Agriculture in Southern Sudan: Challenges and Investment Opportunities - 06/10/2010 01:45 - Read 41595 times
- Fashoda Youth Forum Rehabilitation of Drainage Culverts in Malakal town Report - 07/08/2008 16:22 - Read 32140 times
- Dozens of gunmen on horseback ambush peacekeepers - 24/05/2008 13:47 - Read 26438 times