AU lauds Sudan, South Sudan oil deal

The African Union expressed appreciation for an agreement between Sudan and South Sudan regarding financial aspects of oil exports, according to UPI. South Sudan, independent since July 2011, halted oil production in January in response to alleged stealing by the Sudanese government. South Sudan controls most of the regional oil fields though Sudan has the export infrastructure. AU mediators helped broker an agreement on oil finances following talks in Ethiopia. The African Union, in a statement, said it "appreciates the important agreement reached between the parties regarding all financial matters relating to the export of South Sudan's oil through Port Sudan." Issues unresolved by the 2005 agreement that led to South Sudan's independence left borders unclear, however. The African Union called on the parties involved to reach agreement on all oil-related issues in order to facilitate the resumption of oil production and transportation.