Khartoum renews accusations of Juba #39;s support to rebel groups

January 25, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s defence minister, Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein, has renewed accusations that South Sudan continues to harbor and support Sudanese rebel groups.

Sudanese Defence Minister Abdelrahim Hussein (L) talks to his South Sudan counterpart John Kong Nyuon (R), as former South African President Thabo Mbeki (C) in Addis Ababa, March 8, 2013 (Reuters)

According to the official news agency (SUNA), Hussein discussed with the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) chairman, Thabo Mbeki, on Sunday the outstanding issues between Khartoum and Juba.

The meeting which was attended by the chief of staff of the ground forces, Emad al-Deen Mustafa Adawi, and the head of military intelligence Siddig Aamer, also discussed resumption of peace talks with the rebel groups.

According to SUNA, Hussein underscored that the AUHIP has understood Sudan’s refusal to include Darfur problem among other security issues, stressing that rebel groups continue to receive arms support for South Sudan.

Relations between Sudan and South Sudan have been shaky since the latter seceded from its northern neighbor on July 2011. Khartoum and Juba continue to trade accusations of support to rebel groups from both sides since South Sudan attained independence.

Last December, the director of Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), Mohamed Atta, warned South Sudan against supporting and funding Sudanese rebels, particularly the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

He threatened to pursue rebel groups inside the South Sudanese territory, adding they have endured enough Juba support to the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebels. He further said they will “chase them anywhere”.

The Sudanese defence minister further pointed that the joint border technical committee will meet in the coming days according to the timetable agreed upon by the two countries, stressing his government’s call for a comprehensive dialogue to resolve all Sudan’s issues.

Last September, the AUHIP called on Sudan’s warring parties in the Two Areas and Darfur to engage in talks to end war in these regions and to prepare for the participation of the rebel groups in national conference for peace and constitutional reforms, in line with a decision taken by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC).

However, the mediators were forced to suspend talks on Darfur last December as negotiations between the Sudanese government and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) rebels on the Two Areas reached an impasse over differences in position.
(ST)