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South Sudan leader in China as situation between both Sudans escalates towards war
The president of South Sudan says attacks by rival Sudan amount to a declaration of war on his country.
Salva Kiir made the remark Tuesday during talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing. Kiir arrived Monday for a five-day visit.
On Monday, Sudanese warplanes bombed a market and an oil field in South Sudan, killing at least two people after Sudanese ground forces reportedly crossed into South Sudan with tanks and artillery.
Sudan President Omar al-Bashir has vowed to press ahead with his military campaign until all southern troops or affiliated forces are chased out of the north.
Salva Kiir is lobbying China for investment in his country’s oil industry and diplomatic support in an escalating conflict with Sudan that’s threatening to become an all-out war.
Sudan and South Sudan, which broke away from its neighbor and became independent last year, have been unable to resolve disputes over sharing oil revenue and determining a border. Talks broke down this month, and a Sudanese military bombing in South Sudan killed at least two people Monday.
China’s energy needs make it deeply vested in the future of the two Sudans, and Beijing is uniquely positioned to exert influence in the conflict given its deep trade ties to the resource-rich south and decades-long diplomatic ties with Sudan’s government in the north.
