South Sudan withdraws troops from border with Sudan in step toward resumption of oil

JUBA, South Sudan – South Sudan says it is withdrawing its troops from a disputed border region with Sudan so that a demilitarized zone can be established.

The decision could be a first step toward South Sudan getting its oil industry online again. The south hasn't pumped oil since early in 2012, depriving its impoverished government of needed funds. The oil flows through pipelines in Sudan, and Khartoum has also seen a steep drop in revenues because of the south's oil shutdown.

South Sudan's troop withdrawal is in line with a security agreement reached with Sudan in September. At a meeting between the countries' presidents earlier this month the two agreed to implement the September deals to get the oil flowing again.