S. Sudan Does Not Want 'Senseless War' with Khartoum
South Sudan will not return to war with Khartoum despite a second day of airstrikes and bloody ground assaults in contested border areas between the rival states, a Southern minister said Tuesday.
"As our president (Salva Kiir) has said, we cannot be dragged into a senseless war, but we will be in position to protect our territory and integrity," South Sudan's Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told reporters.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir suspended an April summit with his Southern counterpart following the flare-up, prompting U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon to appeal for calm between the former civil war foes.
Khartoum said the attacks were in response to raids by Southern troops on Sudanese territory Monday.
Philip Aguer, a South Sudan army spokesman, said fighting continued Tuesday between Southern and northern Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) troops.
"Bombing has never stopped, ground clashes happened this morning, and we are expecting them (SAF) to attack us in other places," Aguer told reporters, adding that casualties were feared.
"Definitely you cannot fight from afternoon up until morning without casualties," said Aguer, adding he was awaiting further details.
On Monday, Kiir said his troops had driven northern forces back across the undemarcated border and seized Khartoum's Heglig oil field, parts of which are claimed by both sides.
The proposed talks between Bashir and Kiir had been aimed at easing tensions that many fear have dragged the two neighbors back to the brink of full-scale war.
Border tensions have mounted since South Sudan split from Sudan in July after decades of war to become the world's newest nation, with each side accusing the other of backing proxy rebel forces against it.
Source: Agence France Presse
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://cdn.naharnet.com/stories/en/34786 |