African Union renews call for direct talks between Sudan and SPLM-N
July 15, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) — The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has urged the resumption of talks between the Sudanese government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) to reach a political settlement for the South Kordofan and Blue Nile conflict.
An African Union roadmap, adopted by the UN Security Council on 2 May, demanded the two parties to negotiate a political solution for their conflict on the basis of a framework agreement reached on 28 June 2011.
President Omer al-Bashir in July 2011 refused talks based on the framework agreement saying negotiations can only be held on the basis of the 2005 peace deal. The SPLM-N on the other side demands to include its allied Darfur rebel groups and call for a comprehensive process for Sudan’s crisis.
The Council “reiterates, once again, its firm conviction that there is no military solution to the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, and that, therefore, the Parties must return to negotiations on the basis of the 28 June 2011 framework,” says a AUPSC statement.
The “Council welcomes the acceptance by both Parties of the need for the resumption of negotiations, and urges them to commence these negotiations immediately under the facilitation of the AUHIP and the Chair of IGAD;” the security body emphasised.
Sudanese president Omer Al-Bashir yesterday renewed before the AUPSC the acceptance of his government of a tripartite initiative – by the AU, Arab League and UN – to distribute humanitarian assistance to the civilians affected by the conflict, including in the rebel held areas.
The AUPSC “stresses the need to ensure that humanitarian assistance is forthcoming as a matter of utmost urgency, delivered by competent, impartial agencies, under the guidance and oversight of the three organizations.”
It further urged the Government of Sudan and the SPLM-N to cooperate with the relevant United Nations agencies, in particular the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The Council in this regard called to deploy monitors to the affected areas, to assist the Parties “to maintain the neutrality and integrity of humanitarian assistance, consistent with respect for the sovereignty of the Republic of Sudan.”
The Sudanese government refused to allow humanitarian access to the rebel held areas arguing that the SPLM-N combatants will benefit from any humanitarian aid distributed in their areas. The presence of African and Arab monitors was suggested to respond to this concern.
(ST)