Thousands flee ... families seek shelter in caves in the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan, after fleeing bombardment by the Sudanese air force. Photo: Reuters/Goran Tomasevic
The appeal from Mr Kibaki came after Sudan rejected any United Nations Security Council involvement in efforts to end weeks of border clashes with South Sudan that have raised fears of a wider war.
''Sudan confirms that it rejects any efforts to disturb the African Union role and take the situation between Sudan and South Sudan to the UN Security Council,'' the Foreign Minister, Ali Karti, said.
Armed clashes have intensified since South Sudan occupied then withdrew from the disputed oil region of Heglig this month.
The East African Community of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda is seeking to create a monetary union and a political federation, having formed a customs union in 2005 and a common market in 2010.
''Return to war by Sudan and South Sudan must not be an option,'' said Mr Kibaki, the chairman of the summit.
South Sudan declared independence in July, taking control of oilfields producing about 75 per cent of Sudan's 490,000 barrels a day of crude output. The world's newest nation applied again to join the bloc in November, after its first application in 2005 was rejected because it was not a sovereign state.
''We direct the council of ministers to expedite the verification process of the application of South Sudan,'' Mr Kibaki said. ''As we welcome applications to the community by Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia, we appeal to resolution of their conflicts.''
While the summit was in session, news came through that China had lent South Sudan $US8 billion for infrastructure.
■ Four foreigners found in a disputed area near the South Sudan border were arrested yesterday by Sudanese forces and accused of spying. The Sudanese army said they were nationals of Britain, Norway, South Sudan and South Africa. One of them works for the UN.
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