Juba & Khartoum fail to sign security deal over South Sudan’s alleged support to rebels
April 3, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese and South Sudanese negotiators failed on Tuesday to finalise an agreement on security after Juba rejected allegations of supporting rebels, in a new setback to efforts toward deescalating tension between the two neighbours.
Sudan Tribune has learned that the two sides managed on Tuesday to reach understandings on six points including an immediate cease fire and escalations of media campaigns as well as securing the borders and oil production areas.
The draft agreement also stipulates the formation of an African Union committee (AU) to monitor incidents of escalation.
Eventually, however, the final draft of the agreement was not signed due to South Sudan’s rejection of allegations that it is supporting rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army North (SPLM/A-N) which is fighting Sudanese government forces in the border state of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
The last minute breakdown prompted former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who heads the African Union High Level Panel (AUHIP), the facilitator of the talks, and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to hold meetings with the two sides in an effort to salvage the situation.
Sources privy to the negotiations told Sudan Tribune that the two sides had reaffirmed to the mediators their commitment to overcome the current military escalation and hammer out a deal during the ongoing round of talks.
But the sources said that the current round would end today as scheduled even if the security deal is not signed.
In Khartoum, meanwhile, the Sudanese Media Center (SMC), a website linked to security services, reported on Tuesday that the rebel coalition, Sudanese Revolutionary Forces (SRF), which includes the SPLM-N beside three rebel groups from Darfur, is mustering troops in Unity State of South Sudan in preparation of an assault on Darfur.
According to a security source cited by SMC, the build-up aims to open inroads in Darfur to allow the region’s rebel groups to relocate from South Sudan.
The source accused South Sudan of providing logistical and military support to the rebels to enable them to control some areas in Sudan.
South Sudan denies Khartoum’s accusations of supporting Sudanese rebels. Juba also accuses Sudan of supporting southern militia groups.
Before last week’s confrontation, relations between the recently-separated neighbours witnessed an improvement after they initialed agreements on nationality and borders.
They also agreed to hold a summit between Sudan’s President Omer Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir but Khartoum cancelled the plan after the clashes erupted on 26 March.
(ST)