Sudan has blamed South Sudan for hampering an agreement intended to resolve an oil dispute between the two countries during Saturday talks in Addis Ababa, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
“We have failed to reach a full-fledged agreement with the South Sudanese delegation regarding the oil issue,” Sudanese chief negotiator Idriss Mohamed Abdul Gadir told journalists upon returning to Khartoum on Saturday.
South Sudan and Sudan have been unable to agree transit payments for South Sudan oil shipped on a pipeline through Sudan, leading authorities in Juba, the South Sudan capital, to suspend oil production until an alternative route is found. Production has been halted at more than 300 wells and reduced at 600 more.
Abdul Gadir said on Saturday African Union mediators proposed a framework agreement to be signed by the sides in order to reach a comprehensive deal within a month.
“Sudan agreed to this proposal, but the Republic of South Sudan refused to sign the framework agreement,” Abdul Gadir said.
The next round of talks will begin on February 10, Abdul Gadir said.
South Sudan won independence in July 2011, but fighting still rages in disputed territory along the border with Sudan.
