Kiir Accuses Sudan of Backing Armed Militias Destabilizing Nation - AllAfrica.com

Juba — South Sudan President on Friday told members of the ruling party's National Liberation Council (NLC) how Khartoum has allegedly created and sponsored armed militias with intentions to destabilize the newly independent nation.

His remarks before the NLC; the party's second highest decision making body comes as tension continues between the two neighboring nations, whose leaders are due to meet for a landmark presidential summit, earlier earmarked for 03 April in Juba, the South Sudan capital.

South Sudan as a nation, its president acknowledged, still faces enormous challenges, citing the deteriorating relationship between his government and the northern regime as the "biggest" challenge in South Sudan's efforts to address its internal problems.

"They [Sudan] have created, sponsored and armed militias that continuously disturb our border states. They have bombed civilian targets in South Sudan and diverted our natural resources," said Kiir, also the Chairman of the ruling party - SPLM.

The president instructed governors of the country's five states bordering the country's northern neighbour Sudan to mobilize the public for defense, if attacked by external aggressors. The included the states of Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal.

He assured the delegates that although the country faces hard economic times; his government will continue to foster an environment of unity, equality and progress, which he described as the "emblem" of the south-ruling party.

"We must conclude all of the outstanding CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] negotiations in order for us to focus our concentration on developing the nation," he asserted.

Kiir also appreciated efforts made by the Thabo-Mbeki-led African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP), which he said paved way for the recent progress made on the series of post-independence negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan.

The president specifically cited the break through on the issue of citizenship and nationality, which were due to be finalized during Juba summit. He however expressed regret on issues of Abyei, which has not gained any momentum since the country's independence in July 2011.

On the oil shutdown, Kiir said he had invited his Sudanese counterpart; Omar Hassan al-Bashir in an effort to end the current impasse and move the negotiations forward.

"I have invited President Bashir to a summit in Juba. President Bashir has accepted my invitation and we look forward to welcoming him to Juba on April 3rd. I hope the upcoming summit will President Bashir will enable us to sign the agreements that were initiated by our negotiating teams," Kiir remarked.

The South Sudan leader, in a show of solidarity, urged members of the party to fully support the forthcoming summit and work with the country's negotiating team to enable the two countries broker a "reasonable" agreement. In recent days, however, the ruling party seemed divided on the visit of the Sudanese leader, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

FOOD INSECURITY

Describing food security as being important as physical security, President Kiir said the national government has embarked on a robust strategy to import food and essential commodities to ensure the anticipated disaster is abated.

At least 4.7 million South Sudanese, according to a recent food security assessment remain at risk of food insecurity. The study, conducted by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) also said about 1 million people could face severe food shortages across the world's newest nation.