South Sudan, Sudan will continue to foster bilateral relations: Gatluak

July 13, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudan and Sudan vowed to enhance peace and bilateral cooperation to improve political stability, economic, and security relations in the interest of the sisterly neighbouring countries.

Presidential Adviser Tut Gatluak who returned from Khartoum after talks with military leaders stated that President Salva Kiir has repeatedly told Sudanese officials and political leaders that he is committed to promoting deep and strong relations between the two countries in multiple areas, especially in energy and trade.

“I want to tell you, his Excellency the President of the Republic has a cordial and harmonious policy towards Sudan and the Sudanese people,” Gatluak told the Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

“His policy is basic with the vision to foster mutual relations between the two countries and this remains unchanged,” he further said.

President Kiir had accepted to give Khartoum a greater role in the South Sudanese peace process that led to the signing of the revitalized peace agreement. However, former President al-Bashir declined Kiir’s offer to host talks between his government and the SPLM-N factions.

After the al-Bashir collapse, the Sudanese leaders immediately accepted his proposal when he was in Khartoum to attend the signing of the constitutional declaration in August 2019. And, a peace agreement was signed with the SPLM-N Agar and Darfur groups in October 2020.

Gatluak added pointed out that the South Sudanese government under the leadership of President Kiir is now working together with the Sudanese leaders and individuals to change the attitude of war and hate to the attitude of peace and love”

“We are one people in two countries,” he stressed before adding that “The separation was for political and administrative purposes”.

The two governments opened borders for land and river transportation even if the South Kordofan conflict has not ended as peace talks are stalled for more than a year now.

In the past, said that the rebel groups in the two countries should espouse peace and end cross-border attacks.

However, Juba’s failure to end the Nuba Mountains conflicts and to convince the Juba-based Darfur holdout rebel leader Abdel Wahid al-Nur to negotiate might complicate things in the future.

Currently, the power dispute with the political forces prevents the army from seeking to attack the rebels but it remains a possibility if the generals succeed to have the upper hand in Khartoum.

The presidential security adviser underlined that Kiir supports the intra-Sudanese dialogue facilitated by the trilateral mechanism to ensure a smooth transition of government and find sustainable solutions to the economic crisis.

“I reiterate that on the situation in Sudan, his Excellency is clear and his positions remain unchanged. He stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan and continues to call for dialogue to ensure a smooth transition (…)”, said Gatualk.

(ST)