Lack of trust slows Sudan-South Sudan deals: US envoy - AFP

Lack of trust slows Sudan-South Sudan deals: US envoy

By Ian Timberlake (AFP) – 19 hours ago 

KHARTOUM — A lack of trust between Sudan and South Sudan has prevented the implementation of crucial security and economic deals signed by the two countries two months ago, a senior US envoy said on Thursday.

Princeton Lyman, US special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, warned that obtaining that trust will be difficult unless an insurgency -- allegedly backed by South Sudan -- ends in Sudan's border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Concern has grown that the agreements have not gone into effect after Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir hailed them as ending conflict.

The neighbouring states fought along their undemarcated border in March and April, and tensions flared anew along the disputed frontier last week when South Sudan blamed Khartoum for aerial bombing which it said killed seven civilians.

"I think what happened in the process so far is that they haven't reached that degree of confidence and trust which is essential in carrying out this type of agreement," Lyman told reporters in a conference call after talks in Khartoum with senior Sudanese officials, and non-governmental representatives.

He said he is to also visit South Sudan in December.

The September deals mediated by the African Union included setting up a demilitarised border buffer zone to cut support for insurgents in Sudan and to allow a resumption of South Sudanese oil through northern pipelines for export.

In January, South Sudan halted crude production -- which accounts for almost all of its government revenue -- after accusing Khartoum of theft in a long-running dispute over transit fees.

Lyman said the security arrangements have to fall into place before the oil can flow and the borders can open again to trade.

"But implementation is hard, and both countries are engaged in it but there is a lot of work obviously still to be done," he said.

The agreement to pull troops back from the border came in the context of each side agreeing not to support armed rebels in the other country, Lyman said.

"I think the communications between them, the need for reassurances of each commitment to the intent of these agreements, still has to be pinned down so they can move forward with confidence," he added, welcoming a political and security dialogue planned soon between Sudan and South Sudan in Khartoum.

But Lyman said the war in South Kordofan and Blue Nile is a major problem.

"Without stopping the conflict there it's hard to get that full trust and understanding and security along the border that both countries want," he said.

Khartoum has accused Juba of supporting the south's former civil war allies in the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

Analysts believe the charge, despite denials by Juba which in turn accuses Khartoum of backing rebels on southern territory.

The ethnic and religious minority rebels say they have been fighting since last year to overthrow the Arab-dominated Khartoum regime.

Lyman said the fighting is causing "a tremendous humanitarian crisis" with more than 200,000 refugees in South Sudan and Ethiopia while people in rebel zones are without food and medical care.

"And with the fighting picking up.... we expect to see more refugees and more difficulties there," he said.

South Sudan became independent last year under a peace deal ending a 23-year civil war.

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