Sudan’s defence minister in Khartoum for consultations over buffer zone

September 9, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese defence minister Abdel Rahim Hussein arrived Sunday to the Sudanese capital for consultations on the issue of the buffer zone and the implementation of the security arrangements.

Khartoum refuses to accepts a map drawn by the African Union mediation to establish a buffer zone between Sudan and South Sudan. The Sudanese government accuses the mediation of following South Sudanese claims and including Mile 14 in the demilitarized zone.

Abdel Rahim arrived in the Sudanese capital for consultations with the First Vice-President Ali Osman Taha who asked him to return in Khartoum to discuss ways to break the stalled talks over the AU map.

Before to travel to Khartoum, the Sudanese minister met with the chief mediator Thabo Mbeki and informed him of his two-day trip to Khartoum, as different sources said the works of security committee are suspended during his absence.

Governmental sources said Sudanese delegation reiterated its rejection to the AU map in a meeting held on Friday, saying its acceptance would have “dire consequences” for the Sudan in the future with regard to the settlement of the border dispute.

“We reject it even if the mediation confirmed that the map would be only used for the purposes of security between the two countries,(..) but accepting the map will make it a recognized document” that Juba can use as evidence against Sudan when it comes to settle the border dispute, the official sources said.

ARRIVAL OF SPLM-NORTH DELEGATION

The SPLM-North delegation led by its chairman Malik Agar, deputy leader Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu and secretary general Yasir Arman arrived in Addis Ababa and commenced discussions with the mediation over the humanitarian and political tracks on Sunday.

The rebel delegation handed to the mediation a list of a number of demands announced last week including the delivery of humanitarian aid through South Sudan and Ethiopia.

The rebels also expressed their reservation over the choice of Kamal Obeid to led the Sudanese government delegation.

Sudanese officials in Khartoum last week accused the current leadership of the rebel group of exploiting the Nuba’s cause to achieve its own objectives, demanding to represent the Nuba Mountains with people from their region as the three leaders are from other states.

(ST)