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Summary The appeal came after Sudan said its forces had chased S Sudanese troops out of its main oilfield.
US President Barack Obama late Friday called for an end of fighting between Sudan and South Sudan and direct negotiations between the leaders of the two countries to settle their conflict.We know what needs to happen -- the government of Sudan must stop its military actions, including aerial bombardments, Obama said in a videotaped message to the people of the two countries. Likewise, the government of South Sudan must end its support for armed groups inside Sudan and it must cease its military actions across the border, the president added in the address released by the State Department.The presidents of Sudan and South Sudan must have the courage to return to the table and negotiate and resolve these issues peacefully, Obama pointed out. The appeal came after Sudan said on Friday its forces had chased South Sudanese troops out of its main oilfield as the South ordered an end to its 10-day occupation, which had sparked fears of a wider war.Border clashes between Sudan and South Sudan escalated last week with waves of air strikes hitting the South, and Juba seizing the Heglig oil hub on April 10.Since the invasion, production at Heglig has been shut and facilities there are leaking. Each side accused the other of damaging the oil infrastructure. The Heglig violence was the worst since South Sudan won independence in July after a 1983-2005 civil war in which some two million people died.Tensions have gradually mounted over the disputed border and other unresolved issues.
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