Khartoum, Sudan - Sudan and South Sudan have been trading accusations while their delegations are currently discussing, under the advisory of the African Union,  how oil riches and services could be shared in a way satisfactory to each party.

Sudan on Thursday reacted angrily to accusation by its southern neighbour that Khartoum had "stolen 1.4 million barrels of South Sudan oil".

A press release by Sudan delegation to the oil negotiations has accused the government of South Sudan of failing to reach an agreement with the Government of the Sudan in respect of transporting crude oil through the territory of, and infrastructure under the sovereignty of the Sudan.

The statement said: “We would like to re-iterate here that the Government of Sudan continues to believe that two viable states, closely cooperating and in good faith, are for the optimum benefit of the peoples of the two states. But it takes two parties to achieve this objective. We remain ready to fulfil that. However, is the other party ready?”

The statement stressed that the negotiation team of the Sudan believes it is appropriate for the two parties to bring their concerns to the negotiation table rather than negotiating through the media.

The southern Sudan media and the UN run Radio Miraya on Sunday quoted the team leader of the government of south Sudan, Pagan Amum as pointing out that this round of talks coincides with Juba's accusation that Khartoum is constructing a pipeline to divert crude oil from Unity State.

Juba also accuses Sudan of blocking its shipment of crude oil to the international market through Port Sudan. 

"The government of the Republic of South Sudan and the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining have started investigations about the actions of Sudan," it quoted him as saying.

Pana 20/01/2012