Obama names Africa expert envoy to Sudan, South Sudan

WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama named his special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan on Wednesday, appointing experienced Africa hand Donald Booth to oversee peace-building efforts in the insurgency-plagued region.

"I am confident that Ambassador Booth will advance US interests in pursuing a durable and lasting peace between and within Sudan and South Sudan," Obama said in a statement.

Booth, most recently US ambassador to Ethiopia, will serve as Obama's personal envoy spearheading US efforts to press the countries to implement last year's September 27 agreements on security and oil cooperation.

He will also aim to help the two nations resolve outstanding border issues and the final status of the flashpoint region of Abyei, Obama added.

Booth "will also lead our efforts to bring the conflicts in Blue Nile, Southern Kordofan, and Darfur to a peaceful end, and to promote inclusive governance and full respect for human rights in both states."

Sudan split into two separate states in 2011 following an independence vote in South Sudan and a landmark agreement aimed at ending decades of war.

Rebel activity continued after South Sudan's independence, however, and the former civil war foes came close to renewed all-out war in early 2012 before tensions eased ahead of last September's cooperation agreement.