AU welcomes S. Sudan’s permanent representative

June 18, 2012 (JUBA) – The African Union (AU) Commission chairperson, Jean
Ping last week received the credentials of South Sudan’s permanent representative to the African body, almost a year since the latter attained independence.

Ping, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, welcomed the
appointment of Arop Deng Kuol, saying the AU is pleased that South
Sudan has taken its place within the continental organisation, which
comprises of 54 countries.

“South Sudan being the youngest Member State of the African Union, we
are particularly interested in helping you to succeed as an
independent nation,” the AU chairperson said.

On the ongoing post-independence talks between the two Sudans, Ping
said both countries have “no choice but to make thing work”.

He urged the newly independent South Sudan to primarily focus on
consolidating its status attained after long decades of a bloody civil
war with its northern neighbour. He also appealed to both Sudan and
South Sudan to cease support for each other’s rebels and instead work
towards a sustainable resolution to their current dispute over oil and
other outstanding issues.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed South Sudan permanent representative to
the AU reiterated his country’s commitment to peaceful resolution of
the ongoing post independence talks with Sudan, which is facilitated
by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).

“Our leadership believes that peace is essential for our development
as a young nation. Our people have suffered a lot from past conflicts. Therefore, after a careful analysis of the situation and a strategic examination of all
the options, we have concluded that dialogue and negotiation are the
best means to achieve a sustainable resolution of our differences with
Sudan,” Kuol said.

South Sudan, he maintained, remains determined to resolve all its
border differences with Sudan by peaceful means, including negotiation
or arbitration, in order to achieve permanent peace.

“We want to live in peace with all our neighbours. There is nothing
better than peace,” he said.

Both Sudan and South Sudan are due in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 19 June
for the next round of talks, following a deadlock two weeks ago.

(ST)