Kiir vows peaceful dialogue with Sudan despite disputes – defence minister
June 13, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan president, Salva Kiir said he would continue engaging his Sudanese counterpart, Omer Al-Bashir in order to reach a peaceful settlement of disputes between the two countries, said the defence minister on Thursday.
Minister Nyuon, accompanied by James Hoth Mai, the chief of general staff of South Sudan’s military, said he had recently been in South Africa for bilateral discussions on military cooperation.
The president, he said, also expressed his commitment to the implementation of the September 2012 cooperation agreement and the implementation matrix agreed in March this year, minister Nyuon told reporters after meeting President Kiir Thursday
“The position of the president is that we should not give up on engaging Sudan to resolve disputes over post secession issues. We have a plan for action, which will start soon. Our doors for peaceful dialogue with Sudan remain opens. We believe in peaceful settlement”, he said.
Nyuon said they were in South Africa from 9th to 11th of this month, adding “We met with senior government officials and military officers. We held fruitful meetings and signed declaration on military cooperation in various areas”.
“One area is the training of our officers and other ranks”, he further said.
The senior official said president had asked him and the chief of general staff to put more efforts on the development of former rebel group into so that it becomes a strong and professional army.
Meanwhile, the country’s deputy minister of foreign affairs Grace Datiro, said Sudan government plans to shut down oil flow to the international markets would have dire consequence on the economy of both countries.
Minister Datiro was speaking at the first official press conference by the ministry since Khartoum issued an order cancelling a bilateral economic agreement.
“The decision by the government of Sudan to shut down the oil from flowing will undermine cooperation agreement and the implementation matrix. This is a serious violation of the African Union roadmap and the United Nations Security Council resolution 2046”, Minister Datiro told reporters at the conference in Juba.
She further called for immediate international intervention, saying her government has done everything it could to implement the cooperation agreement.
“We believe it is time for the international community to come and take appropriate decision and action to resolve this simmering dispute. As the government of the republic of South Sudan, we have done everything we could within our capacity. The international community knows this and this is the time they must come with clear position to take decisive action and hold Sudan responsible,” said the deputy minister.
Time for apportioning blames and calls on the two parties to act is gone, she added.
(ST)