UN chief welcomes resumption of post-independence talks
May 25, 2012 (JUBA) – The United Nations Secretary-General on Thursday welcomed the announcements that Sudan and South Sudan were to resume talks on post-independence issues in Addis Ababa next week under the auspices of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP).
Delegations from the two countries, Sudan Tribune learned, are expected to resume talks on Tuesday in the Ethiopian capital over several disputed issues after Thabo Mbeki, chair of AUHIP held talks with the two leaders.
Mbeki later divulged that both parties will resume discussions next week but did not give further details on the positions of the two countries or what they are going to talk about. However, while Juba rejects any conditions attached to the negotiations, Khartoum insists security issues should be the first priority.
“The Secretary-General encourages the parties to reconvene in an atmosphere of good will and calls on them to demonstrate the flexibility necessary to reach agreement on outstanding issues in accordance with the guidance and deadlines set by the African Union Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council,” Ban Ki-moon’s 24 May statement says.
He further reiterates the readiness of the UN to assist the parties implement their agreements and support the mechanisms established by them.
The UN chief also emphasised the necessity of commencing the work of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) for peace and security along the border, confirming to “readiness” of UN Interim Security Forces for Abyei (UNISFA) to immediately support its operations.
The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), in its 24 May communiqué, deplored the alleged failure of the two parties to enforce a number of deals they signed on the administration and security of Abyei and the monitoring of border between the two countries.
The AUPSC cited the “Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area of 20 June 2011, the Agreement on Border Security and the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) of 29 June 2011, the Agreement on the Border Monitoring Support Mission of 30 July 2011, the decisions of the JPSM of 18 September 2011, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Non-Aggression and Cooperation of 10 February 2012.”
The African body also demanded the activation of an ad hoc committee, under the JPSM, to investigate violations of border agreements.
In its 24 April resolution the AUPSC demanded the mediation convene a meeting of the JPSM to discuss security issues “in order to ease the current tension, facilitate the resumption of negotiations on post-secession relations and the normalization of their relations.”
Meanwhile, Pagan Amum, South Sudan lead negotiator also welcomed the resumption of talks, but accused Khartoum and the African mediation of “violating” the roadmap adopted by the United Nations Security Council in its decision of 2 May.
The two parties, in accordance with the resolution 2046, were meant to resume talks within two weeks of the UNSC resolution of 2 May.
China also welcomed the announcement that talks would resume.
“We welcome the positive attitudes of both sides in resuming negotiations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a press conference on Friday.
China, which has significant oil interests in both countries, hopes that the two sides will properly resolve pending issues so that oil production from South Sudan through Sudan can resume.
South Sudan cut off production at the beginning of the year over a transit dispute with Khartoum.
In April South Sudanese forces (SPLA) occupied the oil-producing region of Heglig in response to attacks launched from the territory by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), including bombing South Sudan’s Unity State.
In response to international pressure Juba says it ordered a withdrawal. Khartoum, however, says its army forces the SPLA out of the area.
(ST)