Sudan seeks Arab support on its disputes with Juba

May 21, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government is expecting to get important Arab support at a ministerial meeting to be held next month to discuss ways to boost peace and development in the troubled east African country.

Last March the Arab summit held in Bagdad decided to convene a special meeting at the level of foreign minister to discuss how the Arab Leagues members can support Sudan, which is facing economic and political crisis.

Nabil al-Arabi, Arab League Secretary General, was in Khartoum Sunday for talks with president Omer Hassan al-Bashir to discuss the preparations of this meeting, which will take place on 5 June. He also met with Tijani al-Sissi, head of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA).

Foreign Minister, Ali Ahmed Karti told reporters on Sunday that Sudan has the full support of the Arab League and praised its stance over the Heglig’s seizure by the South Sudanese army.

He further stressed that Khartoum expects influential Arab countries can play a role in the resolution of the conflict with Juba. He also paid tribute to the Arab League’s efforts to end the Darfur crisis.

Karti further expressed hopes that the Arab League can convince South Sudan to back on going efforts to achieve peace in Darfur and to push rebels to join the peace process.

Sudan concluded security agreements with Chad, Central African Republic and Libya and formed joint patrols to monitor the common border with these three nations. In the past months it said it wants a similar deal with Juba to cover the 1,800 kilometer border.

Al-Arabi, in statements after his meeting with Bashir, reaffirmed Arab League support to Sudan in all the issues related to the protection of its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

He disclosed that he and the Sudanese president “talked about the issues related to Sudan’s relations with South Sudan.”

The Arab League like other international and regional organisations condemned the 10-day occupation of Heglig by South Sudanese troops but it did not take any particular initiative towards Sudan.

Khartoum accuses Juba of openly supporting the rebels of Sudan Revolutionary Front which seeks to overthrow the regime. Sudan also accuses Uganda and Israel of supporting these groups in coordination with Juba.

(ST)