Sudan’s NCP says South Sudan not serious to reach negotiated solution
July 22, 2012 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) said South Sudanese government is not serious to reach an agreement over the unresolved issues, accusing Juba and some members of the international community of concocting new sanctions on the country. Mogamed Mandour (SUNA) Talks between Sudan and South witnessed a setback on Friday after when Juba accused Sudan of carrying out new aerial bombardments in Northern Bahr el-Gahzal state. The accusation was followed by it decision to stop the direct talks with Khartoum in Ethiopia. The two countries earlier this month on 7 July agreed to hold direct talks in a transparent manner and to respect each other’s sovereignty. The strategic approach also aimed to speed the comprehensive talks as the deadline fixed by the UN security Council is looming. Mohamed Mandour, deputy chairman of NCP in Khartoum state, said that South Sudanese negotiators count on the support of some members of the international community and pressure groups that influence Western governments "to the extent that makes them unwilling to solve disputed issues through the African Union brokered talks". Mandour added that the South Sudanese negotiators "are obstructing" the talks hoping that by the deadline of 2 August, the Security Council will impose economic sanctions on Khartoum despite its repeated commitment to continue talks in order to reach a peaceful agreement, as he said. "Obviously, from these practices there is a foreign agenda determining the conduct of the South Sudanese delegation and the path of negotiations in general", he went to add. Sudan, which sticks to the security-first approach, rejects a map proposed by the mediation to establish a buffer zone between the two countries aiming to stop cross-border attacks by rebels. This position hampered any progress in the talks as the mediation, longtime accused by Juba of favouring Khartoum ,refuses to change its plan. In accordance with the resolution 2046, the mediation by the 2 August has to file its conclusions on the disputed issues to the UN Security Council. After what the Council can impose economic sanctions on the two parties or for violating the deadline. Mandour said that Sudan which is already subjected to US economic sanctions, is ready for all possibilities adding that the sanctions will increase Sudan’s strength. After the independence of south Sudan, Khartoum is experiencing a severe economic crisis due to the loss of an important portion of oil revenue. However the government resisted the Arab Spring and the popular movements that brought down several regime in the region. Analysts in Sudan are divided over the impact of the dispute with the South Sudan and the fight against the rebel groups in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur. Some say this situation weakened the regime but others say allowed the regime to play on the patriotism but also to easily intimidate the opposition and severely suppress anti-austerity protests organised by youth groups and students. (ST) -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
