UK backs peaceful settlement of Sudan’s political crisis

By Julius N. Uma

April 27, 2011 (JUBA) – The British government remains in full support
of peaceful negotiations that seek to resolve all outstanding issues
between Sudan and South Sudan, its minister for international
development said on Thursday.

Stephen O’Brien, who addressed a news conference in Juba, South
Sudanese capital, said Britain will continue
working closely with the international community to ensure the current
conflict between the two Sudans is settled through diplomacy, not war.

Sudan and South Sudan are currently embroiled in a precarious
situation that threatens a return to full scale war, with each nation
accusing the other of backing rebel movements opposed to each other’s
regime. Both deny the allegations.

North and South Sudan fought over two decades of a bloody civil war,
which only ended with the 2005 signing of a peace deal. A return to
war, analysts say, cost both nations more than $100bn in expenses.

O’Brien further condemned Sudan’s aerial bombings that have targeted
innocent civilians in various parts of South Sudan. At least two
civilians were killed and scores injured in Unity state bombings
allegedly carried out by Sudan-owned aircrafts.

“We urged the Khartoum government to respect fundamental human rights.
The practice of bombing innocent civilians is unacceptable,” he
stressed.

In related development, the European Union (EU) high representative
for foreign affairs and security policy has welcomed African Union’s
roadmap aimed at diffusing the current tension between Sudan and South
Sudan.

“The High Representative welcomes the adoption on 24 April by the
African Union Peace and Security Council of a Roadmap aimed at putting
an end to tensions between Sudan and South Sudan and bringing them
back to negotiations,” Catherine Ashton said in a 26 April statement.

The AU-initiated roadmap, Ashton noted, sets out a series of specific
steps that Sudan and South Sudan must take, with clear timelines.
These include an immediate cessation of all hostilities, including
aerial bombardments; the withdrawal of each army to its own side of
the border; cessation of support to rebel groups operating in the
territory of the other state; and implementation of agreements already
entered into.

“The EU is ready to lend its full support to the Roadmap and calls on
Sudan and South Sudan to implement it without delay, starting with an
immediate cessation of hostilities,” she said.

Aston, who also doubles as the EU Commission vice-president, further
reiterated the urgent need for an inclusive political solution to the
conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions of Sudan.

(ST)