South Sudan–Sudan relations
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Bilateral relations between South Sudan and Sudan were officially started on 9 July 2011 following the former's independence from the latter. Sudan became the first country in the world to recognize the independence of South Sudan. Since South Sudan's independence, relations between South Sudan and Sudan have been poor and frantic.
Abyei is administered by Sudan, but also claimed by South Sudan. Abyei was supposed to have a referendum to determine which country it would be part of, but has been delayed pending discussion of disputes.
Kafia Kingi is South Sudananese sovereignty according to the authoritative 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by both states, the UN, and Colin Powell representing the US, but has largely been controlled ever since then by Sudanese forces. The binding 2005 agreement specifies use of the January 1, 1956 boundary. Kafia Kingi was not transferred to Darfur in the north until 1960.
The town of Heglig, which is internationally recognised as Sudanese territory but which is also claimed by South Sudan.
South Sudan ceased producing oil on a complaint that Sudan was "stealing" its oil en route via pipeline to Port Sudan, the only accessible venue to sell South Sudanese oil beyond Sudan. Sudan responded saying that it was a "fee" for using the pipeline that was owned by Sudan. Several oil trucks were also briefly held by Sudan but later released saying it was a good faith initiative to lessen tensions.
In September 2012, Sudan and South Sudan agreed a deal on border security and oil production to permit oil exports from South Sudan through Sudan to continue. In May 2013, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir threatened again to block oil transits via Sudan if South Sudan continued to support insurgents South Kordofan and Darfur.
Sudan became the first country in the world to recognise South Sudan as a sovereign state and said it intended to open an embassy in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. On the occasion of South Sudan's independence, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir spoke to the delegation present for independence celebrations saying that he "congratulate[s] our brothers and sisters in South Sudan on the occasion of the declaration of their new state and the creation of the State of South Sudan in this dear part of our homeland." He also added that relations between the two can and must be fostered:
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