Sudan’s NCP reiterates support for Kiir-led government
June 8, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) rejected protests by the South Sudanese embassy in Khartoum over a press conference held by SPLM-In-Opposition rebels in the capital, saying that does not affect its support to the elected government in Juba.
NCP spokesperson Yasir Youssef however minimised the embassy’s statement saying the reception of a rebel delegation does not affect Khartoum’s “consistent position” of supporting the legitimate government of South Sudan.
The hearing of one of the parties to the conflict in South Sudan aims to listen to its position and to push the mediation process led by the IGAD, Youssef said.
He stressed that Sudan is a member of the IGAD mediation team tasked with the resolution of the conflict between the two rival sides.
“Sudan went more and declared its support to the legitimate government in South Sudan,” he stressed, adding “we are with stability and end of war”.
Since the start of the conflict, different Sudanese officials state that, despite Juba support to the rebel groups in South Kordofan and Darfur, Khartoum has no interest to support the continuation of the armed conflict because it affects Sudan directly.
The rebel delegation arrived in Khartoum as advance team to prepare the visit of the rebel leader Riek Machar to the country within a regional tour he conducts to explain the position of his group on the peace process and also his opposition to the deployment of an IGAD force.
However, government officials in Juba accuse Sudanese government of harbouring and providing logistical support to the rebels.
Defence minister Kuol Manyang Juuk last Saturday told Al-Sharq Alawsat daily newspaper that some circles within the Sudanese government provided land mines to the rebels who used it in Unity state.
(ST)