In yet another unwarranted act of aggression, South Sudan and its proxy forces again heinously attacked and occupied Heglig on April 10th, an area that is indisputably a Sudanese territory.

The assault comes in the midst of strenuous peace-building efforts exerted by the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) whose chairman recently visited with both countries to push for dialogue. This attack is in direct contravention of those efforts and therefore clear proof that South Sudan is neither serious nor interested in forging peace with Sudan.

This latest incident also reinforces the ominous culture of impunity, which enables South Sudan and its proxies to launch attacks in Sudan killing scores of innocent civilians and there would be no international reprimand.

There hasn’t been a single statement from those that are fond of wielding cameras to battle fields to capture the images of those massacred; nor was there a word from those with satellite imagery regarding the movement of thousands of SPLA troops invading Sudan with very visible tanks and heavy artillery. It is a glaring double-standard that speaks volumes to the Sudanese who as a result are increasingly growing cynical of all the talk of Humanitarianism.

The Government of Sudan reiterates its commitment to peace and opposition to aggression. However it will defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country when war is imposed on it, as is clearly the case now. In accordance with the United Nations charter and the International Law, Sudan reserves its legitimate right to respond to this and any further aggression as it sees fit.

The international community is also called upon to bear witness to this provocation and forcefully condemn what is an obvious and blatant act of war. In this regard, it must be recalled that Sudan already has a number of complaints that it has previously submitted to the Security Council regarding South Sudan’s aggression and support of rebels, all of which continue to be ignored.

Sudan also urges South Sudan to realize that it isn’t in the interest of its citizens to wage a war that it clearly cannot win. Neither is this ill-conceived strategy of “attack and withdraw” prudent, as irreparable damage is caused to Sudan and its people whose patience is wearing thin. The Government of South Sudan must change course and shun this aggressive posture before it’s too late.

Image Courtesy of   babasteve

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The talks between Sudan and South Sudan, facilitated by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), preparatory to an extraordinary meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) concluded on Wednesday, April 4 in Addis Ababa, with significant progress towards agreement on all items on the agenda.

After several days of bilateral intensive discussion, the Parties  invited the AUHIP to prepare a document for their consideration. Wednesday morning, the Panel presented this document to the Parties, in the form of a draft Joint Decision for Reduction of Tension between the Republic of the Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.

The talks were conducted against a background of escalating armed conflict along the countries’ common border and in Southern Kordofan State. The Panel is deeply concerned about this fighting, and its humanitarian and political implications.

In developing its draft, the Panel consulted closely with its partners, including IGAD and its Chairman, the United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway and the European Union. Building upon the Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Aggression and Cooperation, signed by the parties on 10 February, and on UN Security Council Resolution 2024 of December 2012, and in the light of the Parties’ declared intention to proceed in a “new spirit” of partnership, the Panel’s proposal included the following six agenda items:

1. 1. Immediate implementation of all previous JPSM agreements and decisions;

2. 2. An end to negative media propaganda by both sides;

3. 3. Immediate cessation of hostilities between the two states;

4. 4. The withdrawal of the armed forces of each state that may be in the territory of the other state;

5. 5. The establishment of verification mechanisms including the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mission, which is to be supported by the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA);

6. 6. Preparations for the planned Summit meeting.

The proposal strongly emphasized the immediate activation of implementation mechanisms, including verification and monitoring in the border areas.

The delegation of the Republic of South Sudan accepted the AUHIP’s draft proposed Joint Decision. The Panel commended the delegation for its timely decision.

The delegation of the Government of the Republic of Sudan responded positively and will undertake further consultations in Khartoum before finalizing its position. The Panel acknowledged this position.

The Panel will immediately travel to Juba and Khartoum to meet the two Presidents and discuss with them the forthcoming Summit.

The AUHIP commends the co-chairs of the JPSM on their determination to continue negotiations at this time of heightened tension, in a positive new spirit of partnership, with a commitment to meet and finalize the document in the coming days.

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