AU urges Sudan and South Sudan to Reverse their Unilateral Actions

By Staff Writer

ADDIS ABABA— The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Jean Ping, has expressed concerns over the spat between the two Governments of South Sudan and Sudan, in which over the last few days, the Government of the Republic of South Sudan has initiated the shutdown of all oil production, in an accelerated manner that risks serious damage to the oil pipeline to the North.

“ Unilateral steps by the two Governments have brought the relationship between the two countries to the point of breakdown, with the immediate danger of destroying the possibility of achieving the agreed goal of two viable states, friendly and mutually supportive,” Said Dr.  Ping.

He added that the spirit that led to a peaceful referendum one year ago and the amicable separation of South Sudan is fast vanishing. Against a backdrop of the absence of an agreement between the two states, the Government of Sudan recently began diverting oil originating from South Sudan for domestic refining and for international sale.

These reciprocal unilateral measures threaten grave damage to the economic prospects of both countries and relations between them. These actions have also taken place at a time when the AU High‐Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on Sudan is convening negotiations on the question of oil and transitional financial arrangements. The Panel presented a draft proposal to the two parties two days ago, and is revising and finalizing this proposal in line with the detailed responses provided by the two negotiating teams.

“The AU is confident that the differences between the parties can be bridged. Neighbouring African states and the international community, including the United Nations, the United States and China, have expressed support for the AUHIP proposal. These negotiations are continuing in Addis Ababa,” stated Ping.

Seized by the urgency of the matter, under the chairmanship of Ethiopian Prime Minister MelesZenawi, IGAD is convening an Extraordinary Summit to support the work of the AUHIP.

Dr. Ping has called upon both Governments to halt and reverse their unilateral actions with immediate effect. He calls upon them to remain at the negotiating table and to agree on a final settlement of all issues related to oil and transitional financial arrangements. Such an agreement will be beneficial to the Governments and citizens of South Sudan and Sudan and to the region.