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South Sudan’s leader says Sudan has declared war
The president of newly independent South Sudan, in Beijing lobbying for economic and diplomatic support, told China’s president on Tuesday that attacks by rival Sudan amount to a declaration of war on his country.
There has yet to be a formal declaration of war by either of the Sudans, and Salva Kiir’s remark, made during talks with President Hu Jintao, signals a ratcheting up of rhetoric between the rival nations which have been teetering on the brink of war.
Kiir arrived in China late Monday for a five-day visit. He told Hu the visit comes at “a very critical moment for the Republic of South Sudan because our neighbor in Khartoum has declared war on the Republic of South Sudan.”
China Central Television reported that Hu responded by saying that China hopes both sides will “cease the armed conflicts at the borders” and coordinate with the international community as it attempts to mediate the conflict.
South Sudan broke away from its neighbour and became independent last year. The countries have since been unable to resolve disputes over sharing oil revenue and determining a border. Talks broke down this month.
On Monday, Sudanese warplanes bombed a market and an oil field in South Sudan, killing at least two people after Sudanese ground forces had reportedly crossed into South Sudan with tanks and artillery. South Sudan reported on Tuesday that eight more bombs had dropped overnight, although it was unclear whether there were any casualties from those attacks.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has vowed to Press ahead with his military campaign until all southern troops or affiliated forces are chased out of the north.
China’s energy needs make it deeply vested in the future of the two Sudans, and Beijing is uniquely positioned to exert influence in the conflict given its deep trade ties with the resource-rich south and decades-long diplomatic ties with Sudan’s Government in the north.
The president of newly independent South Sudan, in Beijing lobbying for economic and diplomatic support, told China’s president on Tuesday that attacks by rival Sudan amount to a declaration of war on his country.
There has yet to be a formal declaration of war by either of the Sudans, and Salva Kiir’s remark, made during talks with President Hu Jintao, signals a ratcheting up of rhetoric between the rival nations which have been teetering on the brink of war.
Kiir arrived in China late Monday for a five-day visit. He told Hu the visit comes at “a very critical moment for the Republic of South Sudan because our neighbor in Khartoum has declared war on the Republic of South Sudan.”
China Central Television reported that Hu responded by saying that China hopes both sides will “cease the armed conflicts at the borders” and coordinate with the international community as it attempts to mediate the conflict.
South Sudan broke away from its neighbour and became independent last year. The countries have since been unable to resolve disputes over sharing oil revenue and determining a border. Talks broke down this month.
On Monday, Sudanese warplanes bombed a market and an oil field in South Sudan, killing at least two people after Sudanese ground forces had reportedly crossed into South Sudan with tanks and artillery. South Sudan reported on Tuesday that eight more bombs had dropped overnight, although it was unclear whether there were any casualties from those attacks.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has vowed to Press ahead with his military campaign until all southern troops or affiliated forces are chased out of the north.
China’s energy needs make it deeply vested in the future of the two Sudans, and Beijing is uniquely positioned to exert influence in the conflict given its deep trade ties with the resource-rich south and decades-long diplomatic ties with Sudan’s Government in the north.
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