Sudan’s NCP welcomes propositions over security issues from political forces

August 24, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) expressed its willingness to consider propositions made by political forces on the security file with the South Sudan before the resumption of talks next week.

Khartoum accuses Juba of harbouring Sudanese rebel groups saying they carry out cross-border attacks against its troops. Also the failure of the two countries to demarcate their common border complicates the operationalisation of a demilitarised zone agreed since November 2011.

NCP leadership council member, Qutbi Mahdi, said Friday that his party is willing to consider any propositions submitted by the political parties to reach a lasting deal over the security file with South Sudan within the framework of the Addis Ababa process.

Qutbi further said that the indirect involvement of the political forces in the talks on the security issues confirms the importance of this file but also it shows that the border demarcation, disputed areas and Abyei are being resolved in a national and patriotic framework.

Talks over the border demarcation have stalled since the (2005-2011) transitional period ended with South Sudan’s independence on 9 July 2011 as the two parties maintain their positions over disputed areas. The two parties failed to bring uncontested evidence over the ownership of the land despite the huge efforts invested to collect maps and other data.

Although political parties in Khartoum diverge with the NCP’s government over issues related to democratic transition, Islamic law and talks with the rebel groups, they generally share similar positions with the NCP on the border demaraction issue and Abyei.

Following the seizure of Heglig by the South Sudanese army and statements by President Salva Kiir over the ownership of Heglig, the Sudanese political forces announced their support to the government over this issue and urged Juba to withdraw its troops from the oil area.

The opposition forces and the rebel groups believe they can resolve these issues of border demarcation and Abyei through the creation of strong political and economic links between the two countries.

(ST)