Small steps made in Sudan, S. Sudan talks

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- A South Sudanese official said there were minor issues with Sudan left unresolved regarding oil exportation, though multilateral talks were seen as positive.

Multilateral talks in Ethiopia are aimed at resolving issues left over from a comprehensive peace agreement signed in 2005 in Sudan. The deal paved the way to South Sudan's independence, though issues like border demarcation and oil revenues remain unsettled.

South Sudan Information Minister Barnaba Marial was quoted by the independent Sudan Tribune as saying "small details" remained on issues surrounding oil.

South Sudan took control over about 75 percent of regional energy reserves when it gained independence in July. Sudan, however, maintained control over the export infrastructure.

Both sides nearly went to war this year when South Sudanese forces took control of the oil town of Heglig, which lies along the ill-defined border separating the countries.

Spokesmen for both sides said deals were brokered in Ethiopia on border security and oil, the Sudanese report stated. Marial said "significant steps" were made on issues like border demarcation, which could eventually lead to gains in oil production from the region.

The BBC reports that neither side has formally signed a comprehensive agreement that relates to the unsettled issues, however.