AU urges Sudan & South Sudan to solve border issues
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, has urged both Sudan and the newly independent South Sudan, to further the negotiation process, which was mediated by the AU in Addis Ababa last week.
The negotiations that took place in the Ethiopian capital, at the AU headquarters, revolved around the border and the boundary demarcation issues that the two states have.
Representatives of both parties met under the guide of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and the AU Border Programme (AUBP).
According to the AU, “the Parties had already agreed to several key principles, including the principle of a soft border and that of integrated border management.”
It added that Commissioner Jean Ping, “commends the Parties for embracing the soft border principle. In this respect, he (the Commissioner) affirms the need to maintain a peaceful, safe and secure border along which economic activity and social interactions can flourish.”
However, the AU has stated that despite the progress there are some pertinent issues that need to be resolved.
The issue of border and boundary demarcation seems to be an un-resolved issue from the negotiations, in addition to the implementation mechanism for a possible agreement in the future.
With regards to this, the AU Commission Chair urged both parties to find a solution to this matter, and resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.
The AU has stated that despite these issues, the continental body is confident that the matter will be solved.
“The Chairperson of the Commission considers that all of these matters are eminently resolvable. He expresses his confidence that, with the facilitation of the AUHIP and the necessary political will, the two States can, in the next round of their discussions, reach agreement, so as to enable the peaceful demarcation and management of one of Africa’s longest borders,” the AU explained.
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