South Sudan hopeful of reaching possible agreement with Khartoum on Abyei
By Ngor Arol Garang
March 19, 2012 (JUBA) – South Sudan said on Monday it is optimistic that it would sign an agreement ending a dispute over the border contested region of Abyei if the two sides resume discussions with the new spirit of mutual benefit, especially in the upcoming summit scheduled to take place between the two heads of state.
“There are now only two issues which the two parties need to approach with clear and opened minds when negotiations resumes. This is the issue of oil and Abyei, Deng Alor Kuol, the country’s minister of cabinet affairs”, told journalists shortly after seeing off South Sudan president Salva Kiir at Juba international Airport on Monday.
Alor said the position of the country’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has always been clear on settling the issue of Abyei as part of the pending issues instead of taking it as an isolate issue.
“It is in the interest of republic of South Sudan to see the other side coming to the negotiating table with clear understanding and free spirit to discuss issues of mutual benefits to the two states so that we can reach a fair deal on all pending issues. The perception where the two sides see the other as a loser is derailing a lot”, Alor a senior member of the country’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement from the oil contested region of Abyei explained on Monday.
“It is actually this spirit clouded with perception of looking at issues old thinking which is taking us not anywhere. The two sides need to go to the drawing board and begin to identify their interest as two separate and independent states”, he further but said he was hopeful that the issue of Abyei would be resolved because the two sides have expressed commitment to resolving it.
“I just want to tell our people to remain hopeful. The time they have spent is longer than the time that is left. The issue of Abyei will be addressed. Just let us exercise patience and trust”, he said
Although many people including official express fears that Abyei, located strategically on the north-South borderlines, risks returning the two former warring parties into full scale conflict if no immediate attention is paid but Alor believe that there was still plenty of opportunity to negotiate peace.
Both South and North have repeatedly accused each other while trading denials and charges that the other support rebel fighting as proxy forces against the other but believes there was still time to reach a settlement over the remaining issues which the two sides have not been able to settle during the six years of interim period.
. “It is in the interest of both sides to come to the middle road,” Alor said
Ariec Mayar Ariec, a member of Warrap State Assembly in separate interview said “it is true that many people see that the threat of an unfortunate flash of military confrontation between the two sides in the region is more possible but he believe there is still enough time to reach peaceful and lasting agreement if the two sides with open minds.”
“I am hopeful that a lasting an agreement can be reached if Khartoum shows a sense of understanding to approach these issues with clear road map. There is already a map on how to address these issues. What is needed now is political will from the negotiators especially the government in Khartoum”, said Ariec, a member of the state parliament.
African High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on several occasions has acted as an intermediary between the two states despite growing mistrusts and speculations indicating that the two sides have lost trust including launching some form of pre-emptive military strike against the other as mean to settle their dispute.
(ST)