African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
November 16, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) – The African Union (AU) on Wednesday expressed deep concerns over escalating tension along the north-south Sudan border, the world’s newest international boundary.
The fresh concern from the continental bloc comes after an aerial bombardment by the Sudanese army on the Yida refugee camp of South Sudan’s Unity state last Thursday 10 November. Local officials say at least 12 people died in the raid, which is denied by Khartoum.
Since South Sudan seceded from Sudan in July the two country’s have traded accusations of cross-border support to their respective rebel groups and incursions into each others territory.
In a statement, AU Commissioner, Jean Ping said the union had been following the escalation of tensions along the border, urging the two governments to exercise maximum restraint.
“The Chairperson urged both governments to exercise utmost restraint and to refrain from any act that may further aggravate the already tense situation on their common border”, an AU statement said.
The AU chief appealed to Khartoum and Juba abide by the communiqué they signed in September and utilize the Joint Political and Security Mechanism to peacefully settle their differences.
According to the statement, the Chairperson also reiterated AU’s resolve, especially through the continued engagement of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel, whose mandate has recently been renewed by the Peace and Security Council.
The UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, on Tuesday expressed similar concern over the North-South tensions and condemned Sudan’s latest aerial attacks in South Sudan’s soil.
He also condemned a newly formed resistance movement, the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), a coalition of four northern Sudanese opposition groups.
Ban urged the new alliance against the use of force to bring about regime change in Sudan and stated political dialogue as the only solution to resolve the conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
(ST)
Logic
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
AU Chief
Its useless to us, if you’re alarmed, you should be alarmed by the civilians being massacred by SAF but instead your organization is worried about “tensions on the border”.
Thank God we don’t rely on your likes for solidarity, the road ahead is long and bloody but we’ll get there in the end.
Madina Tonj
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
Tesfa Alem Tekle
This Khartoum government have made many violations since the CPA was signed but Africa leaders seem not to tell Omar al Bashir and give him a strong warning. Now after South Sudan independence 3 months ago, Khartoum started arming rebels against young nation and then they start bombing refugees inside South Sudan in Unity State this is more than violation. No one will blame GOSS.
Gabriel KK
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
African Union should replace Mbeki because he is not capable of handling this situation between South Sudan and Sudan. otherwise killing and violation of agreements will continue in both countries.
Frak Cho
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
Dear AU,
Sudan government is quick to denying things like aerial bombardment carried out on 10th November 2011 within South Sudanese soil having killed nobody according to Sudan government.
This is a clear none concern of human lives in South Sudan according to Khartoum regime. You AU, if you really care, please study this tension with care.
Thanks,
Concern Southern Citizen.
Brother Billy
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
If fingers were to be pointed, I personally would have finger pointed the AU who were standing behind Bashir not to accept the arrest warrant given by ICC.Why does AU feel it bad for Bashir to be prosecuted and on the other hand don`t mind about the civilians being killed day and night? If AU use to consider the rest of our fellow human beings, Bashir would have been prosecuted long time ago by I
omoni jr.
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
what is AU?
Which war/conflict had/have AU solved in Africa? AU contained bunch of criminals and defend as African heroes.
This organization need to be dismantle and kill for good.
That is European Union undermines us when the son of Africa Gadhafi was tortured and killed at the watch of AU gangsters club. Leave sudanese alone,they will solve their problem either peacefully or deadly.
Land-of-Cush
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
It is better to have relationship with dog instead of Arab!
Because dog may protect you from your enemy but arab can kill you when you’re powerless refugee.
But I am only on my left heart about Kiir who don’t want to have any one mistake to his enemy.
WendeMajok
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
Let’s not pretend to be what we are not.
The word “condemn” and peaceful “negotiation” have been used to extend that they carry no meaning to those who yearn to have them delivered. AU doesn’t have any concrete history/profile as its reputation on solving African matters, to me AU is just a name that exist with no legal entity otherwise O.A.U was more convinient in Africa.
Lets be realistic!
Red Army
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
My fellow countrymen,
You are all correct in your assertions. AU is just another bunch of crooks and thugs being fed and funded by the UN in the name of innocent Africanism. They are nothing and does not functions to the expectation of the Africans’ interests. I wish I were to be RSS president, I will not hesitate to challenge the AU and call for its dissolution due to its inability to function
Red Army
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
However, yaa Jenubiin, you need to push your Juba administration to act on her own too other than over-relying on the UN and AU goddamn resolutions and deceitful communiques signed on papers and are never implemented. You are good yaa jenubiin at blame game but still your government lack concrete policy and independent decision. Our leaders need to be replaced because they are disgrace to us.
Alier42
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
@ Red Army
i really felt good about the name ,because many of us had lost their dear lives bearing that name of yours,we can not and not support the goverment who had forgotten many of their liberators, whom their childrens are begging the individuals who are enjoying the sacrified of their parents.
Ambowl Papakayo
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
To me, AU is just a symbol but do not know its roles.
simon yel
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
I should not point at AU but I should point at ICC because this arrest warrant hanging over president Bahir is only political threat to black mail him to applies break on what he is doing in Sudan but not to take him to Hague actually ,ICC is not doing its mandate efficiently and effectively ,so let amount blames on it instead of AU.
Elijah B. Elkan
African Union alarmed over north-south tensions
Dear Members of AU, It is very painful to say this, the African Union is pathetic to the core. This organization is corrupted from the day of it inception. Mr. Ping is the worse person in the world. Al-Bashir,and his cohorts of Sudan are all criminals, murderers and AU is AWAL. AU does not have credibility to standup to idiots like Al-Bashir.