Khartoum is now insisting on the payment of reparations for the damage done in the area.

The rising tension between Sudan and South Sudan appears not to be abetting as the latter on Saturday April 21, 2012 accused its northern neighbor of bombing oil facilities in Unity State despite recent moves to defuse the conflict between the two countries.

The BBC reported that a number of blasts were heard in an area where an oil field was reportedly targeted. The authorities in Sudan had earlier on Friday April 20, 2012 announced that its troops had retaken the disputed oil field in Heglig that was overrun by South Sudanese forces on April 10. Though South Sudan claimed that it ordered the withdrawal of its troops from the area in response to calls from world leaders. Heglig, known in South Sudan as Panthou, is internationally accepted to be part of Sudanese territory although the entire border between the two countries is yet to be demarcated.

Speaking at a rally in the capital, Khartoum on Saturday April 21, the Second Vice President of Sudan, Al-Haj Adam Youssef, announced that his country will demand that South Sudan pays reparations for damaged oil facilities in Heglig. While accusing South Sudan’s army of committing large-scale damage of oil infrastructure inside Heglig during its occupation, Youssef called on Juba to stop providing sanctuary to Darfur rebel groups and supporting the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) that is fighting Sudanese forces in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. He further reiterated Khartoum’s intention to change the SPLM government in Juba.

Landlocked South Sudan which seceded from Sudan after decades of civil war and became independent in July 2011, produces 350,000 barrels a day of crude, but shut down production in January in a row with Khartoum over payments for exporting its oil through Sudan. Oil is the mainstay of both countries' economies, providing South Sudan with about 98 percent of its State revenue.