South Sudan asks Ethiopia new leadership supports peace process
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
August 24, 2012(ADDIS ABABA) – Following the unfortunate and sudden pass away of Ethiopian leader, South Sudan government have urged the new leadership in Ethiopia to continue extending its support to the on going peace process between North and South Sudan.
South Sudanese Minster of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nhial Deng Nhial, on Thursday met Ethiopia’s acting Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, in the capital, Addis Ababa, where he delivered him a message of condolence sent from President Saliva Kiir on the death of Meles Zenawi, who passed away Monday night.
Sudan and South Sudan have not yet settle their difference on a number of outstanding issues that remain from the 2005 Comprehensive peace agreement.
The peace negotiations between the two former civil war rivals were temporarily suspended for the ended Ramadan fasting but are said to recommence soon.
Officials in Sudan and South Sudan said that the death of Prime Minister Meles Zanawi, who also was chair chairperson of the Inter governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), will not delay next round of Juba-Khartoum talks and will resume as scheduled by the AU panel.
Considered as close US security partner, the late Ethiopian premier had played an important diplomatic role towards the efforts of realizing sustainable peace between Sudan and South Sudan. He had been in the front run in promoting peace and security in the East African region.
While conferring with the acting prime minister, Nhial said “the loss is greatly felt by the people and government of South Sudan” further expressed the deep sorrow of the Government and the people of South Sudan, according to ministry of foreign Affairs statement seen by Sudan Tribune.
Nhial noted that the late Ethiopian Prime Minister had played indispensable role in the peace process of Sudan and South Sudan and urged the new Ethiopian leadership to follow his foot steps.
Ethiopia is seen as honest broker by both Sudan and South Sudan and the two parties often prefer their rounds of negotiations to take place in the horn of Africa’s nation which also is the seat of the 54 member continental bloc, the African Union.
Ethiopia Acting Prime Minister, Desalegn, on his side affirmed the South Sudanese Minister that his country would continue to extend maximum support attaching the path set by the late Prime Minister.
“Ethiopia is committed to continue implementing the policies and strategies set by the leadership of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi” he told the South Sudanese foreign minister.
Desalegn, described Prime Minister Meles Zenawi as a statesman and visionary leader.
Zenawis successor, Desalegn, will be sworn as nation’s new prime minister, during parliament session to be held shortly after Zenawi?s funeral ceremony took place on September the second.
Desalegen who earlier had been serving on the posts of deputy prime minister and state foreign minister will continue to take the position of Zenawi until 2015, Ethiopian officials said.
(ST)