Ban Ki-moon warns of war’s impact on both countries
Thursday, 19 April 2012 22:21 South Sudan >>> . Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged Sudan and South Sudan to end their hostilities. Ban Ki-moon stressed that they must avoid a return to conflict, which has already cost them millions of lives over two decades. "The last thing the people of these two countries need is another war – a war that could claim countless lives. the Secretary General emphasized. ...war that could destroy hope and ruin the prospects of peace and stability and prosperity of all Sudanese people," he continued at a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York. "I urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint, return to the negotiation table and resolve their differences," he added. South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July, six years after the peace agreement that ended decades of warfare between the two countries. However, the peace between the two countries has been threatened by clashes along their borders and outstanding post-independence issues that have yet to be resolved. Ban Ki-moon called on South Sudan to immediately withdraw its forces from the oil-producing region of Heglig in Sudan's South Kordofan state. He described South Sudan action as "an infringement on the sovereignty of Sudan and a clearly illegal act." He also called on Sudan to immediately stop shelling and bombing South Sudanese territory and withdraw its forces from disputed territories, in particular Abyei. "This is not the time for war," the Secretary-General said. "This is a time for leadership, for engagement, for negotiation – in the name of humanity, and in the interests of the people of both countries and the region." He quipped "Along with regional and many international leaders, I have impressed on both governments the necessity of ending the fighting and returning to negotiations." "They have yet to heed our call." Ban Ki-moon added The UN will continue its efforts and stands ready to help both parties, he said. The Secretary General added that those countries that have influence on the two governments must step up their efforts at this "critical moment." Earlier the Security Council voiced growing alarm at the escalating conflict between the two countries, warning that fighting threatens to take them both to full-scale war. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
