Ethiopia: Sudan, South Sudan Strike Oil Deal
Addis Ababa---Sudan and South Sudan have reached an agreement on border security and oil production that is set to see resume of oil exports from the south through Sudan following closure in January.
The deal comes after four days of discussions between President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir which began on Sunday in a summit at the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
The two leaders under the African Union mediation struck a deal on securing the disputed border region and economic issues and are due to fully sign the comprehensive agreement to effect on Thursday.
South Sudan delegation spokesman Atif Kiir said on Wednesday that “there is agreement on some areas”, while his Sudanese counterpart Badrel-din Abdullah Badr cited “progress on many issues.”
Both sides agreed on a demilitarised border buffer zone where each side must draw its troops 10km from the de facto line of control along the contested frontier. Also an economic deal had been reached to allow South Sudan’s stalled oil production resume, though was not clear on the transit fees which was part of the shutdown in January.
Although it was reported as breakthrough, this week’s negotiations failed to yield agreement on the contested flashpoint Abyei Region and other five key oil-rich border areas which both sides claim, falling short of the comprehensive deal called for by the UN.
The two Sudans agreed to have another round of talks in future to resolve the border issue that brought the foes neighbours to brink of new conflict earlier this year.
Fighting along the disputed border had threatened an all-out war between the two states in April, prompting a resolution by the UN Security Council demanding both sides to end hostilities or face non-military sanctions.
Neither of the two countries met the original August 2 deadline as demanded by the UN, but the council extended it to September 22.
South Sudan took most of the oilfields following its secession in July last year, but requires Sudan’s pipeline to transport its crude to ports in the north for export. In January an oil transit row saw the south shut down its oil fields, accusing the north of stealing its crude and over excessive transit charges.
Lack of the crude which both sides heavily depend on, saw introduction of austerity measures following soaring inflations and shortages of foreign currency in the two countries.
New York, United States
UN Calls for Support in Africa’s Sahel Region
The UN has called on world leaders not to abandon the West Africa’s vast Sahel region which has recently been hit by insecurity, drought and Insecurity that has been worsened by the ongoing conflict in Mali.
Speaking during the opening of high-leveled discussions on the growing humanitarian and refugee crisis on Wednesday, UN head Ban Ki-moon called on world leaders to work to stem a food crisis in the regions that has threatened millions of lives.
"The Sahel is at a critical juncture. Political turmoil, extreme climatic conditions and fragile economies are combining to create a perfect storm of vulnerability," Ban said. "The region needs your attention, your focus. Do not abandon it and regret it later."
Ban said he will be appointing a special UN envoy to the Sahel region, urging for an extreme care in any proposed military solution to the security crisis in northern Mali saying it could have “significant humanitarian consequence” in the worsening situation.
The Sahel which is a vast desert area stretches across nine of West Africa states, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal.Mali’s Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra present at the meeting asked the UN Securtiy Council to endorse "an international military force” composed of willing nations that will help to reclaim the northern territory held by Islamic separatists.
France and West African are although calling for an African-led mission to root out the extremists allied to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)an umbrella for the region’s Islamic and rebel movements.
The Tuareg-led MLNA rebels have been fighting for autonomy in north-eastern Mali since independence, an area they refer to as state of Azawad.
Early in March the rebels launched an assault against installations of government troops in the north, advancing through towns in the north, an event that saw Renegade Malian troops led by Captain Amadou Sanogo launch a coup the same month against President Amadou Toumani Toure in what they claim was in response to the government’s inability to suppress the Tuareg-led rebellion.
Conflict in northern Mali has displaced some 400,000 people, with over a half fleeing into neighbouring states which are also being faced by severe food crisis. According to the UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, more than 18 million people in the region risk starving, with 1.1 million children facing acute malnutrition.