Sudan and South Sudan sign pact

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Thabo Mbeki, ex-president of South Africa, says Sudan and South Sudan have signed a non-aggression pact.

Mbeki, who has acted as the chief mediator between the two sides, told the BBC Friday both sides have pledged to "refrain from launching any attack, including bombardment."

Relations between Sudan and South Sudan began to deteriorate last July, when South Sudan initially became independent. Border clashes, as well as disputes over oil production and revenue sharing, strained relations between the two.

Oil negotiations were expected to resume Saturday, the British network said. South Sudan halted oil production after accusing Sudan of stealing $815 million worth of oil. The shutdown has already shown its ill effects on the economies of both countries.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/02/11/Sudan-and-South-Sudan-sign-pact/UPI-34531328980243/.