Two Sudan(s); Two Flags Flutter in UN General Assembly
The 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly has witnessed dramatic developments for the Sudan and post-secession Sudan.
It was the first time that President Salva Kiir represented Republic of South Sudan (President) in the UN following the peaceful disengagements on July 9, 2011. That is why Kiir’s speech focused on outstanding issues between the two republics of Sudan as well as establishing better neighbouring relations.
On its part, Sudan foreign minister Ali Ahmed Karti has delivered Sudan’s speech before the UN General Assembly session; he also expressed government’s commitment to sustain peace and stability. Sudan has fulfilled its obligations towards the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Regarding the issue of peace process between Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan (RoSS), Kiir reaffirmed that his government has pledged its obligations towards implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement as Sudan tended to the option of peace and stability.
In quotation from Akhbar Al Youm Daily Arabic, Karti expressed government keenness to resolve the remaining issues known as the pending issues of the CPA implementation including the Abyei border demarcation as well as necessary measures required to monitor such borders.
Karti also blamed the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon for ignoring the efforts exerted by Sudanese in his annual report and President Al Bashir in particular for his efforts that empowered southerners to exercise their self-determination as commitment for the option of peace.
Also, Sudan statement urged the UN not to follow orientations of some countries adding that Sudan performance in the field of peace needs to be appreciated, not accusation and criminalization as international criminal court (ICC) targets the Sudan.
The statement has also pointed to implicit warning for RoSS that Sudan will not accept any intervention or any war on behalf of any organization to destabilize the situation on the borders between Sudan the RoSS, emphasizing that the government is about to approach an agreement on the security and political arrangement which resolve the turmoil and tensions happened in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile States.
However, Sudan’s speech dealt with different areas including the US sanctions against the Sudan and the Doha peace document as well as achieving preventive diplomacy in Africa and promotion of peacemaking efforts.
Kiir vows maintaining peace and beneficial relations n the other side, RoSS speech which was delivered by President Salva Kiir has criticized by responsible ad calm tone and Karti’s speech too particular on the bilateral issues between the two countries. Kiir’s speech on 23 September 2001 stressed that in external domain, they remain strongly committed to maintain peaceful and mutual beneficial relations with all states and particularly with neighbours.
In this regard, I wish to reaffirm that the Republic of the South Sudan fully adheres to the principles of absolute respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states including the Republic of the Sudan, said Kiir.
He attributed in his speech that RoSS categorically refutes that it has not and will not interfere in any domestic conflict situations in the Republic of the Sudan. Analysts say this phrase in Kiir’s speech is a way to reform his statement which angered Khartoum on July 9, 2011 when he said to the people of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan that, we will not forget you, when you cry, we also cry and when you bleed, we also bleed.
The mentioned statement interpreted by Khartoum as RoSS intention to interfere in the conflict of these is in a way or another.
Kiir went on to emphasize that reinstatement by the government of recent Addis Ababa framework accord on the situation in Southern Kordofan state and political relations between the government and the opposition could go a long way in promoting the restoration of peace in the area bordering south Sudan.
On the CPA president Kiir expressed hopes to expeditiously resolve between the two states to complete normalization in a new era of positive and mutual beneficial relations.
However, Kiir urged Sudan to consent to speedy demarcation of borders between the two states, with the help of the international community. Kiir concluded his speech by applauding the cooperation between RoSS and the Republic of the Sudan in paving the way to the full implementation of the UNISFA, expressing his optimism that the two countries will reach an agreement sooner rather than later on the resolution of the Abyei issue in line with relevant provisions of the CPA.
Finally Kiir and Karti have delivered optimistic and promising speeches before the UN General Assembly, yet they are now back to their respective countries leaving heavy task on the backs of their leaders in both Republic of Sudan and the Republic of the South Sudan. Then the question; what after words, deeds or other things?…………..
By Mohamed Ali Fazari, 7 hours 55 minutes ago
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