20 dead as Sudan clashes escalate

By Barry Morgan

 20 April 2012 05:41 GMT

FIGHTING has spread between the armed forces of Sudan and South Sudan beyond the oilpatch and into the towns and villages south of the border, most recently in Aweil where clashes have resulted in about 20 deaths, writes Barry Morgan.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has shored up his military occupation of Heglig town, just across the border in the Republic of Sudan, and has halted output from the oilfield which straddles the disputed boundary.

White Nile Petroleum Operating Company engineers reported minor damage to infrastructure following earlier fighting around the oilfield, while neither side ­admits to damaging the facilities, to which both claim title.

In a bid to widen a conflict fast descending into civil war, Khartoum attacked across the South Sudan border at Kuek in Upper Nile State, thereby opening up…

Become an Upstream member!

Membership includes a subscription to our weekly newspaper providing in-depth news from the energy industry, plus full-access to this site and its archives. Still not convinced? Try our free trial.

Already a member?

Login

Upstream share price index