AUHIP suspends security talks, announces pre-dialogue meeting for December
November 23, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), suspended talks between the Sudanese government and rebel delegations on a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, and announced the preparatory meeting for the national dialogue conference is scheduled for the 7th December.
In a press conference held at the venue of the talks in Addis Ababa on Monday, Thabo Mbeki said the negotiators have made significant progress in many of the issues under discussion, and were able to identify the points of disagreement and consensus.
Mbeki added that the decision to suspend the two tracks was taken by the African Union on the request of the negotiating delegations for more consultations. He expressed hopes that the current round has allowed to lay down bases for the resumption of talks next time on the outstanding issues.
The chief mediator further announced their intention to hold the national dialogue preparatory meeting on the 7the of December, adding they will convene the dialogue committee known as 7+7 and the Sudanese parties.
In the meantime, the mediation will continue with the warring parties to set a new date for the resumption of the two-track negotiations, he said.
Earlier this month the AUHIP announced that Sudanese government delegations, the Sudan people’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) will hold a two-day meeting on the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access to the war affected areas.
The discussions on Blue Nile and South Kordofan, took place at the same time as talks with two Darfur armed movements on a cessation of hostilities. A third group, however refused to join the process.
Observers say two days were not enough to reach an agreement, pointing that there were insufficient preparations as the warring parties came to the negotiating tables with different claims and understanding of the agenda proposed by the mediation.
Sudanese government delegations say ready for a permanent ceasefire agreement in the Two Areas and Darfur, while the rebel groups demand a cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian access to the war affected areas.
On the humanitarian access in the Two Areas, the government wants the humanitarian assistance be delivered from the Sudanese territory while the SPLM-N says it should be brought directly from Ethiopia and South Sudan.
On Darfur, the government says the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur remains the framework for any negotiated agreement with the rebel groups which demand new political process.
On the Two Areas, the Sudanese government delegation say they want to resume discussions on a draft framework agreement on the Blue Nile and South Kordofan but the SPLM-N propose to prioritize national issues and to settle the demands of the two states within the dialogue conference.
(ST)