Karti explains “fluctuation” of US-Sudan relations
February 16, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s foreign minister Ali Karti has reported that relations between his country and the United States (US) are in a state of fluctuation, attributing this to a divide between the administration and lobby groups
However, he added that some US advocacy and lobby groups which harbor enmity towards Sudan are actively working to undermine the administration’s approach.
Karti revealed that the council of ministers has instructed the foreign ministry to continue the dialogue with Washington but not to focus too much on it.
Sudanese officials often express lack of faith on US policies and promises when it comes to their country, citing Washington’s failure to reward Khartoum for allowing South Sudan to secede peacefully, and for being a “cooperative partner” in the “war on terror” as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) designates Sudan.
Sudan has been under US economic sanctions since 1997 and under Washington’s list of countries sponsoring terrorism.
The US administration last year announced the beginning of a process to remove Sudan from the terrorism blacklist but no progress was reported beyond that stage.
Turning to Sudan’s frayed relations with South Sudan, Karti stated that his ministry was seeking to foster good relations with Juba despite the setbacks that appear every now and then due to disagreements on economic issues.
Relations between Khartoum and Juba have reached its nadir in recent weeks due to a bitter dispute over how to transport South Sudan’s oil via Sudan.
Tension is compounded by mutual accusations of supporting rebel groups as well as the lack of agreements on disputed territories.
Speaking to reporters after the session, Karti disclosed that Khartoum had chosen its ambassador to Juba and he will depart from Khartoum soon.
He added that diplomatic relations between Khartoum and Juba would continue despite all the complications of bilateral relations.
Karti also revealed that there was an ongoing a dialogue on the status of southern Sudanese in Sudan and vice versa, adding that talks on this particular matter was taking place away from the official forum of negotiations in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
Sudan and South Sudan have been engaged for months in talks in Addis Ababa under AU mediation to resolve a host of economic and territorial issues resulting from South Sudan’s secession.
The South seceded from Sudan in July last year as part of a 2005 peace deal that ended nearly half a century of intermittent civil wars between the two sides.
(ST)