African Union Commends Sudan, South Sudan Summit

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the new African Union Commission Chair. Dlamini-Zuma attended the recent Southern African Development Community summit in Mozambique., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)

Sudan: AU Commends Bashir, Kiir Over Summit

8 January 2013

Addis Ababa — The Commission of the African Union (AU) on January 06 hailed the summit between both the Sudan and South Sudan , held in Addis Ababa between January 4-5.

The summit was between Presidents Omar Hassan al-Bashir and Salva Kiir Mayardit of Sudan and South Sudan respectively.

The summit, under the auspices of the Chairperson of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn was yet another attempt to bring peace and stability between the two countries.

One of the major concerns on the issue has been how to implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace agreement (CPA), signed by the Khartoum Government and the Sudan's People's Liberation Movement (SPLM).

On this issue, a clear demarcation of the borders between the two countries has been very crucial and an issue of great concern.

The Church on its side has in the past called for a complete implementation of the CPA document, with aims to bring peace and stability within the two countries.

In its January 06 statement, the AU though its Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, said it welcomed the outcome of the Summit of the two leaders.

The summit attended among others by the head of an AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on Sudan and South Sudan, former President Thabo Mbeki.

"The Chairperson of the Commission stresses the significance and importance of the steps agreed to during the Summit with respect to Abyei, the implementation of the landmark Agreements of September 27, 2012 and the borders, in the context of the efforts aimed at promoting confidence between Sudan and South Sudan and the broader vision of two viable States at peace with one another and working together on issues of common interest," observed the AU statement.

In the statement, Dr Zuma said she was confident that the Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan will persevere in their efforts and continue to demonstrate the statesmanship and spirit of mutual cooperation that the situation so requires, in the interest of their two peoples and countries, the region and Africa as a whole.

"The Chairperson of the Commission commends Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and former President Thabo Mbeki for their relentless efforts and outstanding commitment in discharging their mandate," she emphasized.

She reaffirmed the AU's determination to continue assisting Sudan and South Sudan in whatever way possible in overcoming the challenges confronting them and in building brotherly and good-neighborly relations between their peoples and countries.