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Sudan and South Sudan seek Ethiopia mediation
Sudan on Wednesday asked Ethiopia to intervene in its latest conflict with South Sudan, which has heightened fears of a fresh war.
Sudan president Omar Al Bashir sent a special envoy to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to ask the Horn of Africa country to mediate in the conflict.
The envoy, Mustefa Osman Ismael who is also an advisor to Bashir, delivered message to Zenawi in Addis Ababa.
Both Sudan and South Sudan regard Ethiopia as a neutral partner and have chose Addis Ababa to host previous talks.
Bashir asked Ethiopia to use its close relations with the two Sudans to broker peace. Zenawi, his counterpart said he would do his best to resolve the conflict worsened by a fight over oil.
Last year, the two neighbors asked Ethiopia to deploy peace keeping troops in the contested oil-rich Abyei region.
Sudan has vowed to use all means possible to retake Heglig, which was taken over by South Sudan troops last week.
The recent fighting between the Sudans is the first major clash since South Sudan gained its independence in August.
Clashes have erupted around the border area and the African Union (AU) has pledged to help demarcate the boundaries.