US’s Clinton advises Juba to reach a compromise with Khartoum

August 4, 2012 (JUBA) – The United Sates on Friday renewed its supports to the African Union (AU) mediated process and urged South Sudan government to reach an agreement with its northern neighbour to end post-secession disputes.

The short stop in Juba was seen as one of the most important visits the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has to make in her African tour, as Washington is seen the main supporter of the new born country.

Speaking at a news conference shortly after meeting South Sudan President Salva Kiir, Clinton said her country supports the African Union mediated talks intended to allow the two countries to reach an agreement over unresolved issues including oil, the main source of South Sudan’s revenue.

“This is a delicate moment. It is a difficult period. We need to get those resources flowing again,” Clinton told journalists at a press briefing. “A percentage of something is better than a percentage of nothing,” she stressed.

Clinton added that both countries need to compromise to close the remaining gaps between them in order for the citizens of the two neighbouring nations to live in peace and economic stability.

“While South Sudan and Sudan have become separate states, their fortunes and their futures remain inextricably linked,” Clinton said at a news conference. “Now it is urgent that both sides, north and south, follow through and reach timely agreements on all outstanding issues. The people of South Sudan expect it,” she added.

The US top diplomat sent the same message to Khartoum government during a telephone call with the Sudanese foreign minister Ali Karti as two days ago. Clinton Sudan the two parties have to make concessions and work together for peace and bilateral cooperation.

Clinton reaffirmed the US’s continued support for South Sudan in building capacity and improving good governance and accountability and management of public resources in a more clear and transparent manner.

She announced an additional $15 million for U.N. aid to the refugees, increasing the U.S. contribution from $35 million to $50 million.

South Sudan’s foreign minister, Nhial Deng Nhial, said his administration had made a “generous offer” to Sudan apparently in an attempt to resolve disputes over post secession issues between the two sides.

“We are committed to reaching peaceful settlement. We need the peace to prevail so that citizens of both countries continue to live in peace and enjoy mutual relations. We therefore hope the international community, with the support United States leadership, can persuade the Republic of Sudan to accept our offer,” Nhial said at a news conference attended by the secretary of state.

She later returned to Kampala where she met the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for talks over bilateral relations and his support to the AU efforts to bring peace and stability in Somalia.

(ST)

Hillary Clinton visits South Sudan