Machar and Ban discuss peace and South Sudan challenges

September 28, 2012 (NEW YORK) — South Sudan Vice President Riek Machar and UN chief Ban Ki-moon discussed Thursday the agreements reached by the world youngest nation with Sudan over unresolved issues and ways to settle the remaining matters.

Machar is in New York where he leads South Sudan’s delegation to attend the 67th UN Assembly General , as President Salva Kiir was retained by the talks in Addis Ababa with his Sudanese counterpart Omer Al-Bashir over the suspended issues.

Ban and Machar “discussed the negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan in Addis Ababa under the auspices of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), including the way forward on Abyei,” said the spokesperson of the UN Secretary General.

The meeting which to place in the on the margins of the General Assembly discussed also the current situation in South Sudan, particularly Jonglei where tribal violence killed thousands of civilians there.

In his speech before the General Assembly on 27 September, Machar praised the AU and the United Nations Security Council for their efforts to bring the Sudan and South Sudan to negotiating table after heavy clashes between the two countries in Heglig last April.

“There is no substantial agreement on Abyei today Machar said, but I’m pleased to inform you that President Kiir and President Bashir signed an agreement that will allow South Sudan to pursue its national vision under a secure and lasting peace,” Machar said.

He also urged international support to the young country stressing that despite the enormous challenges the nascent nation is facing, they are determined to lay a concrete foundation for a prosperous democratic and stable nation in South Sudan.

“The government of Republic of South Sudan has made it a priority to achieve food security by utilizing the oil revenue to fuel the agriculture sectors,” he said adding that increase access to education tops the priorities of his government.

(ST)