US envoy softens South Sudan’s stance on outstanding issues – agency
March 10, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — US special envoy for Sudan, Princeton Lyman, has contributed to soften the position of the South Sudanese delegation in the talks on outstanding issues in Addis Ababa, said Sudan’s official news agency.
Talks on issues related to oil, border demarcation and trade between the newly independent South Sudan and Sudan are deadlocked with the two countries trading accusations of supporting rebel groups and direct military aggression.
Landlocked South Sudan is also seeking another way to export its oil after a dispute with the north over transit fees led production being stopped entirely. The newly independent state needs money to pay the salaries of its large army and many administrations. This week it said considering to use trucks to export 10 percent of its production through Djibouti and Kenya excluding the use of Port Sudan again.
However SUNA reported Saturday from Addis Ababa that Lyman has contributed to soften the position of South Sudanese delegation on issues related to border demarcation and citizenship.
“An atmosphere of optimism led to think that the two parties may reach an agreement on oil and borders”, said SUNA adding that the talks could continue until Thursday 15 March.
The talks on oil which started on Friday included the possible resumption of oil exportation through the Port Sudan. Juba’s delegation also stressed on the need to reach an agreement on border trade between the two countries.
Further, the two parties agreed to form a joint committee to consider practical steps to demarcate borders.
Sudan and South Sudan last Thursday signed in Addis Ababa an agreement on academic cooperation between the two countries.
In accordance with this deal, Sudan offers 100 scholarship annually to South Sudanese students. Also the northern Sudanese students who are studying in the South Sudanese universities before the independence can complete their studies in South Sudan.
(ST)