September 23, 2012 (JUBA) The African Union Commission and the United
Nations on Saturday said both Sudan and South Sudan needed to reach a
comprehensive deal, as their leaders meet on Sunday, to resolve all
outstanding issues in post-session relation between the two.
South Sudan President, Salva Kiir and his Sudanese counterpart, Omar
al Bashir are due to meet on Sunday in the Ethiopian capital Addis
Ababa at a summit that seeks to wrap up talks on a series of
outstanding matters.
Jean Ping, the AU Commission chairperson, in a statement, encourages
both presidents to take advantage of this unique opportunity to reach
agreement on the outstanding issues in the post secession relations
between their two countries.
The AU, over the years, has maintained an intense and sustained
engagement with Sudanese stakeholders and people. In October 2009, the
Peace and Security Council (PSC) established the AU High?Level
Implementation Panel (AUHIP), chaired by former President Thabo Mbeki
and including former Presidents Abdulsalami Abubakar and Pierre
Buyoya.
?This has represented an unprecedented degree of African engagement
and assistance at the highest level,? Ping notes in the statement.
The AU, he said, has always recognized that the crisis affecting Sudan
and South Sudan is an ?African crisis?, and the continent has an
obligation to assist the two states achieve a lasting solution.
Ping, however, noted that throughout its engagement, the AU, notably
through the AUHIP, has maintained the view that solutions to the
challenges at hand lie with the Sudanese people themselves.
The AU, in the aftermath of intense border fighting between the two
countries, issues a strong communiqu? and roadmap in April, which
enabled the two parties to return to the negotiating table and
overcome the challenges facing their relationship.
?As the deadline specified by the PSC Roadmap and endorsed by United
Nations Security Council resolution 2046 (2012) approaches, the AU is
fully aware that difficult decisions must be made by both sides to
finalise negotiations on their post secession relations,? Ping?s
statement reads in part.
The AU, its commission chairperson added, calls for a strong sense of
national leadership, saying decisions made on issues of profound
significance to citizens and governments are undoubtedly difficult and
can involve ?painful? choices.
He however said the AU, recognizing the value of long?term imperative of building two viable states and maintaining the close relationships between the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan, remains confident that the leaders will ?rise to the occasion and leave a legacy of peace for generations to come.?
Meanwhile, Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General said he was encouraged by the significant narrowing of differences between the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan on a range of outstanding issues and strongly urges them to conclude a comprehensive deal during the Presidential summit in Addis Ababa on 23 September.
Ki-Moon, in a statement issued on the eve of today?s summit, also congratulated the negotiating teams of the two parties for what they have achieved so far, but urged presidents of the two countries to take responsibility for the resolution of their remaining differences, so that their summit concludes with a success.
The commitment, he said, will ?mark an end to the era of conflict and ushers in a new era of peace, cooperation and mutual development for the two countries and their people.?
The UN Secretary General also the AUHIP for its continued able leadership in facilitating and mediating the talks between the two parties, and thanked the special envoy for his support to that effort.
(ST).
Source: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article43984
holocaust remembrance day chesapeake energy dick clark death yom hashoah yolo liquidmetal gsa scandal
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.