Sudan Open to Mediation, Willing to Reach Deal with South Sudan on Oil
Khartoum – The Sudan government has accepted mediation in the oil dispute with South Sudan and is looking forward to reaching a deal, the National Congress Party (NCP) affirmed Tuesday.
“We are for reaching an agreement with the Government of the South on oil and that is why we are directly engaged in talks with southern negotiators,” Presidential Assistant and Deputy Chairman of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie said
Nafie, who was speaking to reporters said, “Our top option is to reach an agreement on this issue.”
The government’s position is that export of oil should continue, Nafie stressed indicating that oil is more important for the South than the North.
He said in the event that an agreement is not reached with the government of the South, Sudan is capable of taking its full rights in kind, expecting the South to accept final settlement, adding the final decision for halt of oil operations lies with the government of the South. ”We have no right to say that the Government of the South does not want to export its oil.”
Presidential Assistant downplayed the decision of the South to shut down oil operations, saying it has no bearing on the outstanding issues between the two countries.
With regard to the role of China and possible mediation between the two countries, he said “We welcome all efforts. China is the largest investor and has the right to make efforts to that end.”
Reacting to reports about “oil for Abyei deal” he said, “We will not accept that. Each issue will be discussed separately.” He added that if an agreement is reached on oil it would not be at the expense of Abyei. “We will foil any attempt to compromise Abyei,” he said.
On the Kenyan Mediation between President Al Bashir and Salva Kiir, Nafie said it would be good if Kenya mediates otherwise the AUHIP mediation will continue.
Commenting on the protests witnessed in Nyala Monday, Dr. Nafie downplayed the event, considering it as a minority expression of rejection of the appointment of a new governor, saying the new governor was widely welcomed in South Darfur.
He revealed that the former governor Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha has resigned for logical reasons and it was accepted, adding that a new governor for East Darfur State will be appointed soon.
He denied the resignation of Qutbi Al Mahdi, NCP political chair, but pointed out that the ruling party has made changes in all sectors and Qutbi was informed about that.
By Zuleikha Abdul Raziq, 2 hours 40 minutes ago
http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/details.html?rsnpid=205448
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