(Adds U.N. sanctions threat, Sudan backing AU road map)
* South Sudan seized oilfield briefly last month
* Sudan says oil started pumping on Monday
* Khartoum accuses foreigners of taking part in oil field
destruction
El-Tayeb Siddig
HEGLIG, Sudan, May 2 (Reuters) – Sudan said on Wednesday the
Heglig oilfield, scene of intense fighting with South Sudan last
month, has been repaired and has started pumping the oil that is
the lifeblood of the north’s economy.
The two countries have been embroiled in weeks of fighting
along their 1,800 km (1,200 mile) border, threatening to tip the
region, which sits on one of Africa’s most significant oil
deposits, into a full-blown conflict.
The United Nations Security Council approved a resolution
that threatens both countries with sanctions if they do not stop
fighting and resume negotiations within two weeks, as demanded
by the African Union.
China, which has close trade relations with both countries,
and Russia supported the resolution after several days of
negotiations with council members during which they resisted the
Western push for a threat of sanctions.
Continued…
