Sudanese President declares state of emergency in areas bordering South Sudan

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Sudan's President Omar Al Bashir on Sunday declared a state of emergency in a number of provincial areas bordering neighbouring South Sudan.

The official Sudanese news agency said the state of emergency covers 18 localities in three states, including 8 localities in the troubled South Kordufan state, the scene of recent South Sudan incursion and the oil rich area inside Sudan.

The six other localities are in the White Nile and Sinnar States, both bordering South Sudan.

The news agency did not say why the President has taken the step, but it noted that the decree was based on constitutional stipulations on public safety protection and on the national emergency laws.

The Sudanese constitutional allows the President to declare a state of emergency in parts or all of the country for security, national safety or any other reasons.

The presidential decree declaring the state of emergency has to be submitted to the national legislature, a mere formality of notification.
-0- PANA MO/SEG 29April2012