Khartoum supports South Sudan demand to join Arab League
July 21, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – State Minister for Foreign Affairs on Thursday reiterated Sudan’s support to South Sudan’s request to join Arab League (AL) as special observer, which is expected to be discussed during the upcoming summit in Nouakchott on 26-27 July.
However during a visit to Khartoum last week, the new AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said that the organization’s charter does not allow this kind of membership. But he added he is trying to convince Arab countries to give South Sudan the status of “special observer”.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Obeid Mohamed, who is leading Sudan’s delegation to AL ministerial meeting on Saturday, did not rule out that Arab leaders discuss the situation in South Sudan.
“Sudan supports Juba’s request to join Arab League as observer to enhance peace and stability in South Sudan,” said Obeid pointing that this would make South Sudan closer to Arab world.
UNAMID’s EXIST
Obeid further pointed that Sudan will brief Arab Summit on the peaceful situation in several areas in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue, pointing that these areas enjoy peace and need development.
He stressed that Sudan will urge the Arab summit to support its demand to end UNAMID mandate in Darfur.
Concerning Arab League ministerial meeting agenda, Obeid said that the meeting will discuss the Palestinian cause and recent developments in Syria, Libya and Yemen stressing that recommendations will be submitted to the summit.
President Omer al-Bashir will be leading Sudan’s delegation to summit.
(ST)