South Sudan opposition party welcomes US initiative to contain border conflict

April 19, 2012 (JUBA) – The United States’ envoy to Sudan and South Sudan said Thursday that the two countries still want to avoid “all-out war,” despite their rhetoric and ongoing fighting along their oil-rich and largely demarcated border.

Princeton Lyman, who visited Juba on Tuesday and travelled to Khartoum on Wednesday, told Voice of America that both sides were aware how close they were to full scale war and how costly it will be.

Since South Sudan’s independence the two sides have not been able to agree on borders, oil, citizenship, debt and other issues through African Union talks in Ethiopia.

China has expressed “serious concern” about the increase of tensions between Khartoum and Juba and called on both sides to stop fighting, “maintain calm and exercise maximum restraint”.

The country is seen by some analysts as a key player because of its investments in the oil industry in both countries.

South Sudan’s occupation of Heglig has been described by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as an “illegal act” much to the chagrin of the SPLM in Juba. The UN, African Union and European Union have all called on both countries to stop fighting.

“In the discussions I have had in both Khartoum and Juba, I can say with confidence that virtually everyone I have talked to has said, ‘Look, we don’t want to go to all-out war with the other. We need to find a way out,'” said Lyman.

A South Sudanese opposition party on Thursday welcomed Lyman’s efforts to find a lasting solution to the border conflict.

Speaking at press briefing on Thursday, Martin Elia Lomoro, Chair of the South Sudan Democratic Forum, said his party hoped both sides to the conflict would endeavour to negotiate and reach a common understanding that would bring an end to the hostilities.

Since the fighting over Heglig began talks between the two sides have been stopped and a key presidential summit cancelled.

“I commend the visit of Ambassador Princeton Lyman to Juba and subsequent travel to Khartoum for his decision to involve his Sudanese leadership counterpart, in negotiations to bring the hostilities to an end. The implications of the border crisis go beyond recent clashes,” said Lomoro.

He said it was time the international community, particularly guarantors of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, played a role “to complement efforts of the African Union High Implementation Panel”.

Lomoro said: “The SSDF is expecting concrete actions from the government of United States and others to put the negotiations back on track and convince the two countries to immediately cease hostilities.”

(ST)