Presidents Kiir and Bashir in a past event -File Photo

Sudan has threatened to close the border with South Sudan nearly two months after reopening it in January.

Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud told the Sudan News Agency that the action will be taken if South Sudan continues to support rebel groups against the Khartoum government.

The South Sudanese government has been denying the allegation since its independence in 2011.

The threat to shut the border again comes a day before peace talks are set to begin in Addis Ababa between the Sudanese government, the largest opposition party and several major armed rebel groups.

Towns in the northern part of South Sudan such as Aweil and Renk depend on the border for imports.

Meanwhile, the Sudan News Agency, Suna, says the Council of Ministers has resolved that South Sudanese living in Sudan will be treated as foreigners.

This will apply when they are receiving health services and education. This is a shift from the previous position to accord South Sudanese the status of Sudanese nationals.

The agency says ministers reached the decision today at a regular meeting chaired by President Omer Al-Bashir.