UNITED NATIONS — The UN Security Council urged Sudan on Friday to suspend any actions to halt the transportation of oil from South Sudan. The council urged both countries in a presidential statement “to maintain dialogue to ensure continued transportation of oil from South Sudan.” Sudan notified South Sudan in June of its intention to stop receiving, processing and transporting South Sudan's crude — the country's only real industry — within two months, but has delayed the halt until Sept. 6. Khartoum has said it will only allow Juba to transport its crude through Sudanese territory if South Sudan stops supporting rebels fighting to topple the government in Khartoum. South Sudan has repeatedly denied supporting SPLM-North rebels and in turn accuses Khartoum of supporting rebels in South Sudan led by David Yau Yau. The Security Council urged Sudan and South Sudan to immediately and fully implement an agreement reached last September on ceasing all hostilities, establishing a demilitarized zone between their borders, and guaranteeing oil exports from South Sudan. South Sudan peacefully broke away from Sudan in 2011 after a brutal civil war, but since then the country has seen multiple bouts of ethnic violence in rural Jonglei state. Attacks against the minority Murle ethnic group last month caused the deaths of 328 people, according to a Murle leader, and sent tens of thousands of Murle fleeing into the bush. In a separate press statement, the council expressed “grave concern” at the increasing conflict and violence in parts of Jonglei and strongly condemned attacks on civilians and the looting of UN and other international aid organizations' facilities. The violence has caused tens of thousands of people to flee their homes and the council urged the government of South Sudan to facilitate the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid. The council noted the commitment by South Sudan's President Salva Kiir to investigate and hold accountable those accused of human rights violations against civilians and reiterated “deep concern” at these violations and abuses by armed groups. — AP
