AU gives Sudan, South Sudan three months to sign deal
African Union proposes a seven-point roadmap that calls on both sides to cease hostilities within 48 hours and the "unconditional" withdrawal of troops from disputed areas
AFP , Wednesday 25 Apr 2012
South Sudan accused Sudan on Tuesday of mounting air raids on the newly independent country's oil-producing border region, after weeks of cross-border fighting between the former civil war foes threatened to turn into full-blown conflict.
The AU's Peace and Security Council (PSC) issued a seven-point roadmap late on Tuesday that called on both sides to cease hostilities within 48 hours and called for the "unconditional" withdrawal of troops from disputed areas.
The AU has spearheaded mediation efforts between the two foes in the past with the backing of the United Nations, the United States and other major powers. The U.N. Security Council said the AU's roadmap was a constructive contribution and would inform its own consultations on further action.
Talks brokered by an AU panel (AUHIP) and led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki collapsed last month after Khartoum asked for time to review recommendations, before Juba briefly seized the disputed Heglig oilfield.
The Addis Ababa-based bloc gave the two adversaries two weeks to resume negotiations on a litany of disputes, including oil, the status of disputed areas and the demarcation of their porous frontier.
The PSC "decides that these negotiations must be concluded within three months of the adoption of this decision", said Ramtane Lamamra, the council's commissioner.
He said that should the talks fail, the PSC would ask the AUHIP to submit detailed proposals on all outstanding issues, so they could be endorsed as final and binding solutions to post-secession relations.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has said the latest hostilities amounted to a declaration of war by Sudan.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has ruled out a return to talks with Juba, saying the South's government only understands "the language of guns". However, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti said Khartoum was ready to negotiate on "security issues".
Short link:
Newer articles:
- South Sudan troubles not unique among new nations - Ocala - 25/04/2012 18:00
- South Sudan troubles not unique among new nations - ksl.com - 25/04/2012 17:13
- South Sudan troubles not unique among new nations - Fox News - 25/04/2012 17:11
- Opinion: World must step in to avert South Sudan crisis - CNN International - 25/04/2012 16:47
- South Sudan president cuts short trip to China amid dispute with Sudan - CNN International - 25/04/2012 14:48
Older news items
- South Sudanese Leader Shortens China Trip - Voice of America - 25/04/2012 14:36
- South Sudan leader cancels part of China trip - Fox News - 25/04/2012 10:37
- South Sudan president in China seeking diplomatic support in conflict with ... - Sudan Tribune - 25/04/2012 07:25
- China morning round-up: Hu's South Sudan plea - BBC News - 25/04/2012 06:23
- South Sudan president: Sudan has 'declared war' - BusinessWeek - 25/04/2012 06:00
Latest news items (all categories):
- President Salva Kiir sacks two vice presidents and others in a decree today (10/02/2025) - 10/02/2025 19:36
- South Sudan parties adjourn talks in Kenya - 10/02/2025 16:24
- South Sudan becomes 22nd African country to be affected by mpox - 10/02/2025 16:21
- More to come for South Sudan's Bright Starlets - 10/02/2025 16:16
- UAE President receives President of South Sudan - 10/02/2025 16:09
See also (all categories):
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan: diary of a crisis - 27/01/2014 13:51
- ISS: The AU must face up to Africa’s governance-conflict links - 14/01/2022 03:19
- Frustration as South Sudan Talks Delayed Again - 16/10/2014 16:03
- Fearing 'imminent attack,' aid agencies withdraw staff from South Sudan town - 09/05/2015 08:40
- South Sudan ceasefire violations yet to stop - 02/07/2018 01:50
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 69828 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22370 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21575 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 19310 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19221 times