Around the World: Sudan

Heavy fighting erupts

Heavy fighting erupted between Sudan's army and southern Sudanese forces in the disputed oil-rich town of Abyei yesterday, aid workers said.

The fighting, which first erupted last week after a local dispute, is the latest of a series of clashes in the tense central Abyei region claimed by both Khartoum and semi-autonomous South Sudan.

More than three years after a 2005 north-south peace deal to end decades of civil war, the sides have not agreed on borders or a government for the region.

(China Daily 05/21/2008 page24)