South Sudan urges respect for security pact as Sudan threatens oil shutdown over rebel charges

KAMPALA, Uganda – A South Sudanese military official says Sudan's threat to shut down South Sudan's oil exports over its alleged support for rebels in Sudan will not spark a return to armed hostility as long as Sudan respects a security agreement reached earlier this year.

South Sudanese army spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said Monday that any violations of an African Union-mediated pact signed in March "may amount to a declaration of war."

Aguer said Sudan was yet to implement the president's order to close pipelines carrying South Sudan's oil exports.

Sudan's spy chief told reporters Sunday that the country could suspend its security and economic pacts with South Sudan, which denies supporting rebels in Sudan.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Since then relations between the countries have been tense.