German Foreign Minister visitis Sudan

Germany’s foreign minister Guido Westerwelle has urged north and south Sudan to quickly contain tension along border areas and announced a hike in his country’s aid quota for refugees displaced by clashes in Abyei and South Kordofan. Westerwelle arrived in the capital Khartoum on Thursday amid rising tension between north and south Sudan which is due to declare full independence on 9 July. Last month’s occupation by North Sudan army of Abyei region, which is claimed by the south, was followed by fighting in the north-south border state of South Kordofan between northern forces and elements aligned with Sudan People’s Liberation Army of South Sudan. The ex-war foes reached an agreement this week to demilitarize Abyei and deploy Ethiopian peacekeepers until the region’s status can be decided.