Sudan hopes South Sudan’s new gov’t implements Cooperation Agreement
April 16, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government on Saturday expressed hope that South Sudan’s new government, expected to be officially declared in a couple of days, will implement the cooperation agreements signed between the two nations.
Machar was previously appointed vice president of South Sudan following its independence from Sudan in 2011, but fled the country after being accused by Kiir of plotting a coup in December 2013.
The accusation led to the outbreak of a civil war between Kiir’s forces and rebels loyal to Machar that has seen tens of thousands of people killed and over two million displaced.
The warring parties signed a peace agreement in August 2015 and Kiir re-appointed Machar as his deputy in February.
The two sides have also agreed to share ministerial positions in a unity government.
The official spokesperson of the Sudanese government, Ahmed Bilal Osman renewed his government’s call for Juba to stop its support for Sudanese rebel groups.
He said Khartoum was awaiting the arrival of President Kiir’s envoy to ease the atmosphere between the two nations, saying they hope the situation in South Sudan stabilises with the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity.
Tensions between the two neighbouring nations have escalated in recent weeks, following allegations by Khartoum that Juba harbors and supports Sudanese rebels.
Osman told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) that they hope South Sudan’s new government, expected to be formed on Monday would implement the cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.
In September 2012, the two Sudan’s signed a series of cooperation agreements, which covered oil, citizenship rights, security issues, banking and border trade, among others.
In March 2013, the two countries signed an implementation matrix for these cooperation agreements.
(ST)