Sudan’s NCP rejects a new map of its southern neighbour including Heglig

May 6, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party rejected a new map of the republic of South Sudan that includes a disputed area in South Kordofan stressing that it remains part of the Sudanese territory.

Last Friday the South Sudanese cabinet for the first time since the independence of the new nation adopted an official map of the new state where Heglig or Panthou is considered as part of the Republic of South Sudan.

On 10 April South Sudanese army occupied the oil area for ten days before to withdraw its troops under the international pressures but also after a week of fighting with the Sudanese army.

The adoption of a new map that considers Heglig as South Sudanese territory is a “blatant transgression against Sudan and the will of the international community who confirmed that Heglig is 100% Sudanese territory,” said Ibrahim Gandoor, foreign relation official in the ruling NCP on Sunday.

The NCP official said that this move will affect any future negotiation with Juba. However, he added that the adoption of the map might be one of the means of pressures used by Juba before to resume talks on the outstanding issues.

He further reaffirmed that ” Heglig is a Sudanese area and Juba knows well before the others.”

The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) issued last month a road map to settle the disputes between the two countries since the independence of South Sudan over many issues including the border demarcation.

The UN Security Council endorsed the African road map which gives the parties two week to resume talks brokered by the AU high level mechanism led by Tahbo Mbeki. If they fail to reach an agreement, the latter has to submit proposals on the different issues to the Peace and Security Council to adopt it.

(ST)