Sudan takes control of Blue Nile region of South Sudan

Despite its new found independence, Sudan and South Sudan continue to spar along the length of their border. Sudanese troops announced they have seized the stronghold of Kurmuk in the Blue Nile state after two months of heavy fighting.

KHARTOUM, SUDAN (Catholic Online) - Violence in the border states has cast an ominous pall over talks between the two countries. South Sudan seceded from Sudan as part of a 2005 peace agreement. The two sides are divided particularly by religion with Muslims in the north and Christians in the South. Accusations of terrorism and genocide have been raised by both sides against the other.

Both sides continue to fight over who should hold disputed border towns. Sudan also accuses South Sudan of sponsoring militias on both sides of the border. The Sudanese government has announced that it would not tolerate armed militias on its (northern) side of the border, and has moved to disarm them. 
 Many Sudanese civilians living along the border say that the Sudanese government has neglected them both politically and economically. Khartoum accuses them of being sponsored and encouraged to rebel by South Sudan.

Fighting between the Sudanese army and South Sudan, spilled into the Blue Nile region after starting in other states along the border. 

For its part, Washington has watched the deteriorating situation with dismay. Officials have decided to keep in place trade sanctions against Sudan that were first imposed in 1997. The trade sanctions were recently extended after high-level discussions earlier this week.

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