Sudan’s NCP reiterates need to implement security arrangements
November 11, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP)reiterated its position that the South Sudanese government should end its support to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N) and Darfur rebel groups, but urged to keep dialogue with Juba to reach this end.
South Sudan’s defence minister says the talks are deadlocked over Khartoum’s demand deploy joint patrols on the common border of South Kordofan and Blue Nile where the government are fighting the SPLM-N rebels.
Deputy NCP spokesperson Yasir Youssef, told reporters in Khartoum following the weekly meeting that the party had agreed to immediately implement the 27 September agreements, but also agreed that South Sudan should disengage with the rebel SPLM-N.
“It is incredible that the oil passes through Sudanese territory to feed the treasury of a nation supporting the insurgency and armed movements,” Yasir said; adding “the two countries should start by the full implementation of security provisions.”
He called on Juba to take into account that the implementation of security arrangements is vital and strategic affecting the national security. He added that the position of his government is “logical” and “supported by the partners”.
Juba during the talks said that the SPLM-N rebels are no longer under its command but admitted sympathy to their cause.
The mediation and international partners agree on the need to settle the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile to ensure peaceful coexistence between the two countries. However, talks brokered by the African Union mediation between Khartoum and the Sudanese rebels are stalled .
Yasir reiterated Khartoum’s rejection to hold direct talks with the SPLM-N saying his government would not recognise the rebel group as long as they are linked to a foreign state and take up arms against the state’s authority.
“We will not deal with the SPLM-N leaders unless they turn away from all this and form a political party,” he said. The Sudanese government rejected a deal signed by presidential assistant Nafie Ali Nafie last year that recognised the SPLM-N as a political party. Following the rejection of the agreement fighting began in September 2011 having begun in South Kordofan in June 2011.
The Sudanese rebels say they are not affiliated to the Juba government, stressing that their party was formed in the eighties while the South Sudan became independent only in July 2011.
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Saturday has said she is alarmed by the delay in the operationalisation of the buffer zone and emphasised “the need for the full and timely implementation of the security arrangements, to enhance confidence between the two States”.
Asked about the contradiction between government insistence on the need to prioritize security measures and statements about the resumption of oil exportation, the NCP deputy spokesperson said such statements aim to send positive signals about Khartoum’s readiness to implement Addis Ababa agreements.
(ST)