Sudan and South Sudan discuss rebels’ issue next week
March 10, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s defence minister Abdel Rahim Hussein said the Joint Political and Security Committee (JPSC) will meet on 17 March to discuss issues related to rebel groups.
Khartoum had been always insisting that Juba should first disengage with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) and cease its support to Darfur rebels who established some bases inside the South Sudanese territory.
In a press conference held in Khartoum following his return from Addis on Sunday Hussein disclosed that another meeting related to “complaints and claims” will be held on 17 March to discuss the presence of rebel groups in the two countries.
He also praised the good atmosphere of the talks saying “if this positive spirit continues in the upcoming meeting, “we will close for good this file of security arrangement and work on the other deals signed by the two president (Omer) Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir”.
“We expect the negotiations will continue in this spirit”, he further added.
US special envoy to the two Sudans, Princeton Layma, since the end of last year suggested that the implementation of the security arrangements and a ceasefire between Khartoum and SPLM-N rebels will pave the way for a lasting peace between the two countries.
Abdel Rahim further explained he delayed his return to Khartoum because he had to brief the Sudanese negotiating delegation chaired by Idris Abdel-Gadir about all the details of the discussions at the level of the security committee.
Talks have started on Sunday in Addis between the Sudanese side and the South Sudanese team led by Pagan Amum on the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement particularly the resumption of oil exportations.
Reports from Addis say the two parties may very soon determine a date for the resumption of South Sudanese oil though the Sudan .
(ST)