The UN Security Council has passed a resolution threatening to impose sanctions on Sudan and South Sudan.
The resolution, drafted by the US, called for the Sudans to resume talks on disputed issues within two weeks.
Recent weeks have seen clashes in the disputed border region, with Sudan carrying out indiscriminate aerial bombing and South Sudan occupying the disputed Heglig.
The resolution called for the implementation of an African Union road map, which aims to bring the neighbours back to the negotiation table.
It calls for both countries to give a written commitment to halt fighting within 48 hours and ‘immediately cease all hostilities’.
If either side fails to follow the terms laid out, ‘additional measures’ under article 41 of the UN charter – which allows for non-military sanctions – will be considered, the resolution further says.
China and Russia, which both traditionally oppose sanctions, supported the resolution.
China's UN Ambassador Li Baodong said Beijing was "was always cautious about the use of sanctions", but that it was "deeply worried" about the deteriorating situation.
