'Touch and go' ahead of Sudan-South Sudan talks

KHARTOUM (AFP) - Progress on demilitarising the tense border between Sudan and South Sudan is uncertain, observers said, as the south's Defence Minister John Kong arrived in Khartoum for security talks on Sunday.

The presidents of Sudan and South Sudan agreed more than two months ago to establish the demilitarised buffer zone to cut support for insurgents -- allegedly backed by the South -- and to allow a resumption of South Sudanese oil exports through northern pipelines.

The deals came after their countries fought a border war in March and April. They were part of a wide-ranging package to resolve security and economic tensions but have not been implemented, sparking international concern.

"I think the important part is, at least they're still talking," an African diplomat said, asking for anonymity.

Speaking before Kong's arrival, he said that although there might be "some movement" on security issues, "It's touch and go."

The focus is on trying to start joint monitoring by the two countries of the proposed demilitarised zone, the diplomat said, adding: "That's what everybody's pushing for."

Khartoum has repeatedly accused South Sudan of supporting the South's former civil war allies who are fighting in Sudan's border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Sudan has insisted that security be assured before the economic deals are implemented.

Bundling the issues in this way, rather than treating them one at a time, makes a resolution difficult, said El Shafie Mohammed El Makki, head of political science at the University of Khartoum.

"You cannot put them in one package and try to solve them in one blow," he said.

Princeton Lyman, the United States special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, said late last month that a lack of trust between Khartoum and Juba has prevented implementation of the deals.

Obtaining that trust will be difficult unless the rebellion ends in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, he warned.

In January, South Sudan halted crude production -- which accounts for almost all of its government revenue -- after accusing Khartoum of theft in a long-running dispute over transit fees.

The South separated in July 2011 under a peace agreement that ended a 1983-2005 civil war.