Sudan threatens to close border if S. Sudan fails to expel rebels

Sudan on Sunday threatened to close its border with South Sudan if Juba failed to fulfil its commitments to expel Sudanese rebel groups from its soils, Sudanese Media Center (SMC) reported.

"South Sudan's First Vice-President Taban Deng vowed to the Sudanese government to expel the movements from Juba within 21 days," State Minister at Sudan's Foreign Ministry Kamal Ismail was quoted as saying.

On Aug. 22, Deng, during a visit to Khartoum, reiterated that his country would not be a starting point for any hostile acts against Sudan by Sudanese armed groups.

He said his country and Sudan agreed to settle all outstanding security issues within 21 days.

"If South Sudan's government failed to commit to this agreement, (Sudan's) government will close the borders with the south and stop the food aid," Ismail noted.

He said the government is closely following up Juba's decision to expel the rebels, saying "Juba must clearly make its political decision on expelling the movements."

Khartoum accuses Juba of sheltering rebel groups of Sudan's Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions. Endit