Sudan, South Sudan vow to implement peace agreements
September 18, 2022 (JUBA) – Sudan and South Sudan have vowed to implement peace agreements signed with different armed and non-armed-political groups as part of efforts to safeguard the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the two countries.
South Sudan’s presidential adviser on security, Tut Gatluak Manime on Saturday met the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan in Khartoum.
“I met on Saturday with the Sudanese leaders, in particular, Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereign Council of Sudan to deliver to him a message of thanks from his excellency the President of the Republic, Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, for support the government and people of South Sudan have continued to receive from our brothers and leaders in Sudan and for attending the graduation of the necessary unified forces which was conducted recently in Juba,” Manime told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.
He added, “This exercise is continuing in the states of Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile and Equatoria”.
The presidential aide said Al-Burhan pledged to train the unified forces who would be deployed to enhance efforts to jointly respond to multiple security threats in the region.
The forces, he added, would help maintain peace and stability in South Sudan.
Manime said the Khartoum gave him the opportunity to discuss with Al-Burhan the political situation in Sudan and the progress of the dialogue between the political forces as well as progress made in the implementation of the Juba agreement for peace in Sudan and ongoing efforts to expedite the reintegration of security forces.
“The meeting also gave me an opportunity to hear from Gen Al-Burhan about the current peace process in Sudan and I was happy he has an excellent vision. He has a strong will and interest to see that political actors reach a national consensus to complete the transition period. He seeks all that can strengthen peace and stability in Sudan”, he stressed.
The official said his country has joint efforts aimed at facilitating a new consensus among political forces and an agreement between political forces and the military. Various Sudanese initiatives, led by academic, business and civic leaders seek to bridge divisions among the political forces and establish a new unified platform. Other back-channel discussions with the military and security forces to understand their priorities and explore options for a new road map have also been explored.
International partners have put their support behind the tripartite mechanism, which is jointly led by the African Union (AU), the regional bloc (IGAD) and the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).
While the efforts being exerted are commendable, political analysts say South Sudan lacks the leverage to encourage the military rulers to step aside once political and revolutionary forces reach a deal on a new technocratic government.
In October 2021, military ousted the transitional government led by Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok, suspended the constitution and arrested government ministers.
(ST)