April 13, 2013 (JUBA) – Friday’s meeting between South Sudan president, Salva Kiir and his Sudan counterpart, Omer Ahmed Al-Bashir has widely been viewed as gesture of improve relations between the two ex foes.
Sudan’s Bashir shares a light moment with Salva Kiir on arrival to Juba on Friday (splm)The two leaders, at a press conference held in Juba after their meeting, said they both agreed to form a joint high level committee to work out modalities seeking to resolve the remaining outstanding issues between them.
Bashir, making a first time visit to the South Sudan capital since it got its independence in July 2011, said he ordered for resumption of Sudan’s border with its southern neighbour and pledged stronger ties with the latter.
Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, in a statement, said he was encouraged by the constructive discussion between the two leaders on the implementation of the agreements they signed in Addis Ababa on 27 September 2012.
He however, urged both Kiir and his Sudanese counterpart to “maintain this positive momentum.”
The South Sudanese president and his visiting Sudan counterpart ended their talks on Friday without striking a deal on the issue of the contested Abyei region.
Bashir, however, vowed to work hand to hand with Kiir to resolve the outstanding issues including Abyei where they are yet to establish temporary institutions and set up a referendum commission.
“The Secretary-General commends both Presidents for their decision to continue their efforts to resolve the Abyei issue in accordance with the implementation matrix,” the statement reads in part, further urged the two leaders to resolve their differences regarding the final settlement of the disputed region.
In a related development, Chairperson of the African Union, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, congratulated both Bashir and Kiir for their fruitful summit meeting in Juba.
The meeting, she stressed, was a further “demonstration of their commitment to foster the normalization of relations between the two countries and promote the wellbeing of their peoples.
Zuma, in a statement, particularly commended the two Presidents for upholding the letter and spirit of the Cooperation Agreement of 27 September 2012, and for reiterating their commitment towards the full implementation of all its nine components.
“In this respect, she notes with satisfaction their decision to direct all joint mechanisms and committees to accelerate their efforts, in order to enhance the relations between the two countries in all fields of cooperation,” the statement says.
She however welcomed the commitment of the two presidents to resolve the issue of Abyei, in accordance with the Implementation Matrix, as well as their decision to establish a High Ministerial Joint Committee to be chaired by the two vice Presidents of both countries, in order to facilitate speedy decision-making regarding the enhancement of relations between the two countries.
The AU, she stressed, will continue to support the two countries in the implementation of the agreements they have signed and towards the achievement of the overall objective of two viable States mutually supportive and at peace with one another.
The two leaders, according to South Sudan Information minister, agreed to set up a joint administration in Abyei, but failed to agree on how the local legislative council should be composed.
“President Salva stressed on the need to respect previous arrangement. He wants the 60% representation and 40% representation for the government of Sudan. This was how it used to be but president Bashir said it is better to use 50-50 representation”, Barnaba Marial said
He further said the two presidents convened to continue their discussions on the issue and pointed out that Bashir had asked Kiir to visit Khartoum for further engagement on issues which remained unresolved.
“They will continue dialogue. You know nothing gets finished at once. There are issues which need consultations and explanation for better understanding”, the minister said.
Khartoum says it had previously accepted the 40% share because it wanted to encourage Southerners to vote for unity. But now as things are different it wants to re-establish the share of 50% as it is provided in 2005 peace agreement
(ST)
Bashir’s visit to Juba
Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir visited Juba on April 12 for the first time since South Sudan’s secession in 2011 for talks with his counterpart Salva Kiir. The two presidents failed to strike a deal on the issue of the contested Abyei region but did agree to implement previous agreements.
Storified by Sudan Tribune· Mon, Apr 15 2013 18:52:04
Video coverage of the summit.
Sudan’s Bashir visits South Sudanaljazeeraenglish
Presidents Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir Hold Closed-Door Meeting in Jubassudanonline
Sudan presidents agree on previous dealsenewschannel
Bashir and Kiir seemed in good spirits when they met at Juba airport.
President Salva Kiir of the Republic of South Sudan hosts President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan. President Bashir visited Juba on April 12, 2013.Pan-African News Wire File Photos
President Kiir and behind him Governor of CES Wani welcomes President Bashir to South Sudanmy momory
President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan with President Salva Kiir of the Republic of South Sudan in Juba during an official state visit. The two states are working to normalize relations.Pan-African News Wire File Photos
Later in the day the addressed a joint press conference.
Presidents Kiir & Bashir addressing a joint press briefing after their meeting in Juba on 12 April 2013 #SouthSudan pic.twitter.com/RfAhqJSM3RGov of South Sudan
Photos: Sudan’s president visits JubaJUBA (12 Apr.) – President Omar Hassan Al Bashir made a one-day visit to the South Sudanese capital today, his first visit since before the referendum in January 2011. full story: http://radiotamazuj.org/en/article/photos-sudan%E2%80%99s-president-visits-jubaTamazuj Cross Borders
Tweets about Bashir’s visit.
Friday was President Bashir’s first official visit to @RepSouthSudan since independence in July 2011 #SouthSudanGov of South Sudan
Al-Bashir’s visit to South Sudan is a “major progress” in improving the relationship between Khartoum and Juba bit.ly/Zl7vlqSudaneseOnline
#Bashir in #Juba: No deal over #Abyei, talks to continue sudantribune.com/spip.php?artic… #Sudan #SouthSudanSudan Tribune
I didn’t call South Sudanese “insects”, #Bashir says sudantribune.com/spip.php?artic… #SouthSudan #Sudan #SPLMSudan Tribune
#Sudanese president orders “resumption” of border trade with #SouthSudan sudantribune.com/spip.php?artic… #Sudan #Bashir #Kiir #JubaSudan Tribune
Al-Bashir has invited President Salva Kiir to Khartoum for more discussion on cooperation agreementsRadio Miraya
Many South Sudanese expressed their unhappiness about Bashir’s visit for political reasons:
Some decisions taken in Juba leaves one baffled as to what is going on under president Kiir’s black hat.in my opinion ,Bashir should have been not accorded such grand reception in the drop of air and ground attack orders in mile 14 ,Jau and Upper Nile .One has to be really an ” insect ” to go ahead ,roll out red carpet and orchestrated musical band for blood thirsty facist like Bashir.Abataach John
After the oil was shutdown early march 2012, who did not faced what in south Sudan as a whole because some south Sudanese people are giving vague comments opposing President Bashir his visit to Juba Capital of South Sudan last Friday?????????????????/,,,,,,,,,,,,I really appreciate the Khartoum and Bashir’s government to accepted and implements the current and recent last signed documents of peace deal between the two neighboring countries, North and South Sudan, In the last one year, south Sudan was facing challenges of insecurity,austerer measures which had leads to reduction of public employees as well as their salaries,retirement of some government officials, lack of fuel , transportation of goods was a critical problem faced by our national traders, Poverty was also interfering with innocent citizens’ livs, Our major issue as south Sudanese, we think of supporting the rest of Sudanese rebels when we do not have enough military and logistics support to them, it is like a say, saying that, when there is an outbreak of war, you cannot run with some body’s child while leaving your child behind, this was a clear indication to our government and it has really sabotage the signing of pending documents between the two countries which would have been signed since last two years 2011-12.Lonymajak Makuei
While others noted or complained about the effect his visit had on Juba itself:
Juba getting back normal after BashirMarial Jieng
I don’t see the reason why people of S.Sudan particularly in Juba were punished to foot all over in Juba the all day just because Bashir came for a visit to Juba last friday till 6pm when vehicles were now allowed to move.To me, it’s useless to honour sb who doesn’t pay you back the same respect.Because in the near future when our president Gen.Salva Kiir visits Khartoum,Bashir will not even receive him at the airport.Instead of closing the businesses in his country on that day.Isn’t that humilation?So let’s stop honoring Bashir if we want him to stop calling us insect.Lew Pur
However, many were more positive…
In my view, coming of president Bashiir to Juba will only help in strengthening relationship between two countries for normalization of hostilities and implementation of 4 freedoms agreement but post referendum issues will remain un solve, for neither instance border demarcation nor Abeyi referendum are implemented and list is long…….. The evidence is years!Simon Aban
…including the African Union
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, congratulates President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan and President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan for their fruitful summit meeting yesterday in Juba, South Sudan, which was a further demonstration of their commitment to foster the normalization of relations between the two countries and promote the wellbeing of their peoples.Omar Arouna
