Sudan: Interior Minister requests Interpol to arrest Darfur rebels. Central African Republic: Seleka rebel coalition seizes capital Bangui - CAR president flees to DR Congo - France sends troops to CAR (UPDATE 1: CAR president flees to Cameroon)

SUDAN'S Interior Minister has requested Interpol to arrest the leaders of three Darfur rebel groups, namely:  JEM, SLM-Abdul Wahid and SLA-Minni Minawi.  Reportedly, the three groups have recently formed an alliance with the SPLM-N -the revolutionary front alliance- with the aim of toppling the democratically elected Government of Sudan. 

Meanwhile, in Central African Republic (CAR), the Seleka rebel coalition appears to have seized CAR's capital city Bangui.  More than 170,000 people are estimated to have been displaced within CAR and others are fleeing to Chad and to DRC.  CAR President Bozize is said to have fled to DRC.  France announced on Sunday afternoon (24 March 2013) that it would be sending another 350 troops to CAR to join the 250 already there.  It is expected that the extra troops may be redeployed from Mali, where France has been fighting an Islamist insurgency.  The French have called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the deteriorating situation.

Further details here below.

Sudan's interior minister requests Interpol to arrest Darfur rebels

KHARTOUM, Sunday, 24 March 2013 (Xinhua) - Sudanese Interior Minister Ibrahim Mahmoud has requested the Interpol to arrest leaders of the rebel movements in Sudan's Darfur region, Khartoum Almeghar Alsyasi daily reported.

The paper quoted the minister as saying that "the Darfur rebels are criminals that must be pursued by the Interpol and brought to justice."

Mahmoud further urged the rebel movements to join the peace negotiations, adding that the rebels targeted the citizens and engaged in criminal behavior for which they should be punished, according to the report.

He also noted that all the Darfur people are rejecting the rebellion.

Three Darfur rebel movements are rejecting to sit down at the negotiation table with the Sudanese government including the Justice and Equality  Movement (JEM), the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)/Abdul-Wahid Mohamed Nur faction and the SLA/Minni Minawi faction.

The three movements have recently formed an alliance with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector -the revolutionary front alliance- with the aim to topple the government.

The African Union Peace and Security Council has recently urged the Darfur armed movements to join the negotiations to reach a peaceful settlement for the conflict in the region.

Source:  English.news.cn 2013-03-24; 16:23:02.  Editor: Hou Qiang
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2013-03/24/c_132258352.htm
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Central African Republic (CAR):  Rebels seize CAR's capital city

• Seleka rebel coalition seizes Bangui, the capital city of CAR 

•  CAR President Francois Bozize is said to have fled to DR Congo 

• 170,000+ people displaced in CAR and others fleeing to Chad and to DR Congo

• CAR has extensive deposits of uranium, crude oil, gold and diamonds

According to the below copied report from Sky News in the UK, the president of the Central African Republic (CAR) has fled to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the Seleka rebel coalition seizes CAR's capital city Bangui.

France announced on Sunday afternoon (24 March) it would be sending another 350 troops to CAR to join the 250 already there.  It is expected that the extra troops may be redeployed from Mali, where France has been fighting an Islamist insurgency.  The French have called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the deteriorating situation.

Note that the report ends by saying:  "CAR regularly languishes closes to the bottom of the lists of the world's poorest countries despite extensive deposits of uranium, crude oil, gold and diamonds".

Also, according to the below copied report from BBC News online, a Paris-based rebel spokesman Eric Massi told AFP news agency that the rebels had secured Bangui and military camps and were deploying across the capital "to launch security operations and prevent looting".  But Amy Martin of  the UN's humanitarian agency, OCHA, told the BBC World Service that looting was happening, and more than 170,000 people are estimated to have been displaced within CAR and others are fleeing to Chad and to DRC.

South African peacekeepers in CAR to support CAR government troops suffered casualties but failed to stop the rebel advance.  Observers say CAR President Francois Bozize kept his army weak because he was afraid of a military coup.  He came to power himself in a coup in 2003.  CAR, which has a population of about 4.5 million, has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960.

Full story at Congo Watch (a sister site of Sudan Watch) Monday, 25 March 2013:  http://congowatch.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/central-african-republic-seleka-rebel.html
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UPDATE 1 on Monday, 25 March 2013; 3:15pm UK:

C. African Republic president flees to Cameroon
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (Associated Press) - The president of CAR fled to neighboring Cameroon on Monday, as the rebels who overthrew him began squabbling who would now lead the impoverished nation long wracked by rebellions.   The government of Cameroon confirmed Monday [25 March] that Bozize is seeking "temporary" refuge there before leaving for another unspecified country.  Full story at:  http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/21782944/c-african-rebel-consider-me-head-of-state

Situation in the Central African Republic
WASHINGTON, 25 March 2013/(APO)/ - US Department of State Press Statement: http://appablog.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/situation-in-the-central-african-republic-2/

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General on the situation in the Central African Republic
NEW YORK, 25 March 2013/ (APO)/ – The Secretary-General condemns the unconstitutional seizure of power that took place in the Central African Republic (CAR) on 24 March 2013 and calls for the swift restoration of constitutional order. He reiterates that the Libreville Agreements, negotiated by the Heads of States and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), remain the most viable framework to ensure durable peace and stability in the country.  Full story at:  http://appablog.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/statement-attributable-to-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-on-the-situation-in-the-central-african-republic/
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FULL TEXT: Nine Agreements between Sudan and South Sudan Sept. 2012 re: Cooperation, Security, Borders, Cross Border Trade, Banking, Post Service Benefits, Citizenship and Status of Nationals, Certain Economic Matters, Oil; plus two Agreements March 2013 re: Implementation Modalities for Security Arrangements & Adoption of Implementation Matrix incl. Abyei Area (TASA)

ON 27 September 2012, nine agreements between Sudan and South Sudan were signed, under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.  The nine agreements (links to which are listed here below) concern:  Cooperation, Oil, Security, Nationals, Post Service Benefits, Trade, Banking, Border Issues, Certain Economic Matters.

On Friday 08 March 2013, an "Agreement on Implementation Modalities" was signed between Sudan and South Sudan at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) in Addis Ababa.  The agreement consists of a detailed plan and timetable for the full implementation of all the elements of the "Agreement on Security Arrangements" between Sudan and South Sudan signed on 27 September 2012. 

The "Agreement on Implementation Modalities" commits Sudan and South Sudan to a set of actions beginning on “D‐Day”, Sunday 10 March 2013, including unconditional withdrawal of all forces to their side of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone (SDBZ) and the deployment of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), with logistical support and logistical protection provided by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The two Governments committed themselves to implementing these steps in an unconditional and coordinated manner.  The signing of the "Agreement on Implementation Modalities" removes the sole remaining obstacle to the full implementation of the nine agreements signed by the two Presidents on 27 September 2012.   

Here below are links to a copy of each of the nine agreements, followed by a link to the agreement on modalities for the implementation of the "Agreement on Security Arrangements" between Sudan and South Sudan, plus a link to an agreement entitled "Adoption of Implementation Matrix by The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan" signed in Addis Ababa on Tuesday 12 March 2013.

SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN'S NINE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS 
SIGNED ON 27 SEPTEMBER 2012

- The Cooperation Agreement
- Security Arrangements
- Borders
- Cross Border Trade
- Banking
- Post Service Benefits
- Citizenship and the Status of Nationals
- Certain Economic Matters
- Oil

The Cooperation Agreement

Full text of the 27 September 2012 Cooperation Agreement creating a vehicle for ratification of the eight other agreements by national assemblies within forty days and committing to expeditiously completing negotiations on the disputed and claimed areas.  Agreement provides that the AUHIP will continue to engage on the issue of Abyei with the African Union and the UN Security Council.

Title:  The Cooperation Agreement between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Omar Hassan Al Bashir, President of the Republic of the Sudan, On behalf of The Government of the Republic of Sudan.
H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Repbulic of South Sudan, On behalf of The Government of the Republic of South Sudan. 
Witnessed by:
H.E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation Panel, On behalf of the AUHIP.
H.E. Haile Mariam Dessalegne, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, On behalf of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development.
View full copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/cooperation-framework.html - or: 
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/The-Cooperation-Agreement-Between-Sudan-and-South-Sudan0001.pdf

Security Arrangements

Full text of the 27 September 2012 Agreement on Security Arrangements, safe demilitarised border zone and special arrangements for complete demilitarisation of 14 Mile area.

Title:  Agreement on Security Arrangements between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by: 
H.E. Lt Gen (PSC) Eng. Abdulrahim Mohamed Hussien, Minister of Defence, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. John Kong Nyuon, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by: 
H.E. General Abdusalami Abubakar, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan.
View full copy online at:
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/security-arrangements.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Security-Arrangements-2709120001.pdf

Borders

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement to "soft border" principles and commitment to demarcate the border through a joint demarcation committee.

Title:  Agreement between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan on Border Issues
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:  H.E. Pierre Buyoya, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
View copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/borders.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Border-Issues-2709120001.pdf

Cross Border Trade

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement committing to establish a joint ministerial committee on trade relations to address bilateral trade questions including customs cooperation, banking relations, combating cross-border smuggling and money-laundering, trade related dispute mechanisms and usage of ports for non-oil goods.

Title:  Agreement on Trade and Trade Related Issues between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of Sudan Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:  H.E. Pierre Buyoya, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
View full copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/cross-border-trade.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-trade-Sudan-South-Sudan-2709120001.pdf

Banking

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement to establish Joint Central Banks Committee and confirming the protection of the rights of commercial banks operating in both countries.

Title:  Agreement on a Framework for Cooperation on Central Banking Issues between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by: 
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan.
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:
H.E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation Panel, On behalf of the AUHIP.
View full copy online at:
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/banking.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Banking-2709120001.pdf

Post Service Benefits

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement recognising reciprocal obligation to pay pensioners benefits notwithstanding change in citizenship and commitment to establish Joint Technical Committee on Pensions.

Title:  Framework Agreement to Facilitate Payment of Post Service Benefits between The Republic of the Sudan and The Repubic of Sudan Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by: 
H.E. General Abdusalami Abubakar, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
View full copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/post-service-benefits.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Post-Service-Benefits-SudanSouth-S0001.pdf

Certain Economic Matters

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement between the parties that Republic of Sudan retain all external debt liabilities and assets as predecessor state with corresponding commitment to joint-creditor outreach strategy.

Title:  Agreement between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan on Certain Economic Matters
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by: 
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan.
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by: H.E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation Panel, On behalf of the AUHIP.
View copy online at:
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/certain-economic-matters.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Certain-Economic-Matters-2709120001.pdf

Citizenship and the Status of Nationals

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement affirming mutual commitment to recognising the four freedoms of nationals of the other state and committing to establish a Joint High Level Committee to oversee adoption and implementation of relevant measures.

Title:  Framework Agreement on the Status of Nationals of the Other State and Related Matters between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:  H.E. Pierre Buyoya, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
View full copy online at:
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/citizenship-and-the-status-of-nationals.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Nationals-Agreement-2709120001.pdf

Oil

Full text of the September 27, 2012 agreement between the parties codifying August 3 agreement on oil transport fees, transitional financial arrangement, mutual forgiveness of oil related claims and resumption of oil production, processing and transportation.

Title:  Agreement between The Government of the Republic of South Sudan and The Government of the Republic of the Sudan on Oil and Related Economic Matters
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by: 
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan.
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:
H.E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation Panel, On behalf of the AUHIP.
View full copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/oil.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Oil-Agreement-between-SudanSouth-Sudan0001.pdf
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Agreement on Modalities for the implementation of the Security Arrangements Agreement between Sudan and South Sudan

The "Agreement on Implementation Modalities", signed at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday 08 March 2013, commits Sudan and South Sudan to a set of actions beginning on “D‐Day”, Sunday 10 March 2013, including unconditional withdrawal of all forces to their side of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone (SDBZ) and the deployment of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), with logistical support and logistical protection provided by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

Title:  Implementation Modalities for Security Arrangements agreed on 27th September 2012 Between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan, Addis Ababa 08 March 2013
Date:  Addis Ababa, 08 March 2013
Signed by: 
H.E. 1st Lt. Gen (PSC) Eng. Abdul Raheem Mohammad Hussein, Minister of Defense, Government of Sudan.
H.E. Gen. John Kuong Nyuon, Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Government of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:
H.E. Gen. Abdulsalami A. Abubakar, African Union High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan and South Sudan.
View full copy online at:
http://radiotamazuj.org/en/article/document-implementation-modalities-security-arrangements - or:
http://radiotamazuj.org/sites/default/files/Sudan%20&%20South%20Sudan%20Implementation%20Modalities%20for%20Security%20Agreement.pdf
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Agreement on Implementation Matrix for Agreements

On Tuesday 12 March 2013, Sudan and South Sudan adopted an integrated Matrix to facilitate the coordinated implementation of their commitments as reflected in the Agreements referred to in the "Cooperation Agreement" of 27 September 2012.  In particular, the Parties shall be guided by the principle of good faith and the principles set forth in the Preamble of the "Cooperation Agreement".

Title:  ADOPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX by The Republic of the Sudan And The Republic of South Sudan
Date: Addis Ababa, 12 March 2013
Signed by:
H.E. Idris Mohame Abdel Gader, On behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Sudan.
H.E Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation for Sudan and South Sudan, On behalf of the AUHIP.
View full copy (courtesy of Matthew Russell Lee, Inner City Press.com 12 March 2013) at:
http://www.innercitypress.com/sudansouthsudanmatrix031213icp.pdf
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POSTSCRIPT BY THE EDITOR OF SUDAN WATCH

Here's wishing all the Parties the very best of luck.  God bless all the peace makers and the children of Sudan and South Sudan and keep them from harm.  Please stop the greedy, ambitious evil doers and rebels and their misguided friends in Washington from promoting violence and sanctions in order to get what they want for themselves.  Violence and sanctions add to the suffering of poor and poorly people who are in urgent need of access to safe drinking water, food, shelter, medical care and security - not forgetting the welfare of animals and the wellbeing and voting rights of nomads.

Note that an additional agreement, entitled "Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for Administration and Security of the Abyei Area (TASA)", has been included in the Adoption of Implementation Matrix for Agreements between Sudan and South Sudan.  According to a Press Release issued by the African Union Commission, Tuesday 12 March 2013 (see full copy here below - courtesy of APO):   "The Implementation Matrix also includes an agreement on the modalities and timelines for the implementation of the Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area, in particular the establishment of the Abyei Area Administration, the Abyei Area Council, and the Abyei Area Police. The Chairperson of the Commission urges Sudan and South Sudan to adhere to the timelines, which are necessary to ensure that the return of displaced persons and the seasonal migration of nomadic groups can continue in a peaceful atmosphere."

Press Release

The African Union welcomes the signing of the implementation matrix for the agreements signed between Sudan and South Sudan

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 12, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ – The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, welcomes the signing, in Addis Ababa, in the early hours of 12 March 2013, of the Implementation Matrix for the Agreements  between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.

This Matrix elaborates the modalities for the implementation of the nine Agreements signed by President Omar Hassan al Bashir and President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Addis Ababa, on 27 September 2012.  It comes four days after the signing of the Implementation Modalities for Security Arrangements, during the extraordinary meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) held in Addis Ababa on 8 March 2013. The Implementation Matrix confirms D-Day for the implementation of all the Agreements as 10 March 2013. Among other things, this latest Agreement paves the way for the resumption of oil production and the transit of South Sudan’s oil through Sudan.

The Implementation Matrix also includes an agreement on the modalities and timelines for the implementation of the Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area, in particular the establishment of the Abyei Area Administration, the Abyei Area Council, and the Abyei Area Police. The Chairperson of the Commission urges Sudan and South Sudan to adhere to the timelines, which are necessary to ensure that the return of displaced persons and the seasonal migration of nomadic groups can continue in a peaceful atmosphere.

The Chairperson also notes with appreciation that both governments have commenced withdrawal of their armed forces from their common border, as stipulated in the Agreement on Security Arrangements signed on 27 September 2012 and agreed in the Implementation Modalities for Security Arrangements signed on 8 March 2013.  She stresses that this augurs well for the full normalization of relations between the two countries.

The Chairperson of the Commission commends the leadership of the two countries for their commitment, and looks forward to the planned visit of President Al Bashir to Juba, as the next step in cementing mutually cooperative relations between them. The Chairperson of the Commission notes that the Final Status of the Abyei Area and the resolution of the Disputed and Claimed Areas are the only remaining outstanding issues, and expresses the belief that the positive atmosphere created by the most recent Agreements, and the commitment to their implementation, provide the basis for the resolution of these outstanding matters.

The Chairperson would like to thank President Thabo Mbeki and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, for their continued commitment and unstinting efforts to assist Sudan and South Sudan to resolve their outstanding issues and build two viable and mutually cooperative states.

Source:  African Union Commission (AUC)
http://appablog.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/the-african-union-welcomes-the-signing-of-the-implementation-matrix-for-the-agreements-signed-between-sudan-and-south-sudan/
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Related Reports

(Sudan Watch) - Saturday, 09 March 2013: 
Sudan, South Sudan sign agreement for implementation of security arrangements: "D-day is March 10 2013 plus 4 days" -Mbeki, AUHIP. UN Chief Ban Ki Moon welcomes new border agreements
http://sudanwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sudan-south-sudan-sign-agreement-for.html

(Sudan Watch) - Wednesday, 02 May 2012: 
FULL TEXT:  UN Security Council Report May 2012 Sudan and South Sudan
http://sudanwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/full-text-un-security-council-report_02.html

(Sudan Watch) - Tuesday, 01 May 2012:
FULL TEXT:  African Union Peace and Security Council Roadmap for action by Sudan and South Sudan
http://sudanwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/full-text-african-union-peace-and.html

Thank you for reading SUDAN WATCH.

Sudan, South Sudan sign agreement for implementation of security arrangements: "D-day is March 10 2013 plus 4 days" -Mbeki, AUHIP. UN Chief Ban Ki Moon welcomes new border agreements

GOOD news.  Sudan and South Sudan on Friday, 08 March 2013, signed an agreement for practical implementation of the security agreements, which the two countries signed in September last year. 

Defence ministers from both sides met on Friday for a new round of talks in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. to set up a buffer zone along their frontier.

The two countries signed the agreement at the conclusion of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) meeting started last Thursday (07 March) and co-chaired by Defence Ministers Abdel Rahim Muhammed Hussein of Sudan, and John Kong Nyuon of South Sudan in Addis Ababa.

The two Ministers together with former President Abubakar Abdulsalam of Nigeria on the side of the AUHIP signed the agreement for translation into action of the security agreements reached on September 27 in Addis Ababa.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who chairs the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP), said the two had agreed to order their forces out of the demilitarised zone by 14 March 2013.

"D-day is March 10. The agreement calls for immediate orders (for withdrawal) to be issued within D-day plus four days," Mr. Mbeki told a news conference in Addis Ababa on Friday (08 March). 

The two countries will finish withdrawing their troops from the demilitarised zone by 05 April 2013, according to a timetable agreed by both sides seen by Reuters.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon welcomes the agreement signed on Friday (08 March) by Sudan and South Sudan on the establishment of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone, the deployment of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and the activation of all security related mechanisms as of 10 March 2013.  With this agreement, there should be no further conditions in the way of immediate implementation of the other signed 27 September agreements, including the agreement on oil.

According to tweet posted on Twitter by @AUHIP, AUHIP arrived in Addis Abba for the Sudans talks Wednesday, 06 March 2013. 

Here below are further details in a news round-up consisting of ten reports including a copy of:

- a report by VOA regarding the resignation of Sisto Olur Erista, the Secretary-General of the main opposition party in South Sudan, the SPLM-DC -- and news of a three-day meeting of the SPLM politburo being chaired by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir ahead of an extraordinary convention of the SPLM, which is scheduled to be held next week.

- a report by Sudan Vision Daily saying the Sudanese government considers that a report of the UN that JEM has a military base in South Sudan was a declaration of what was confirmed by Sudan that the Government of South Sudan harbours a number of Sudanese armed movements, including SPLM-N.  Sudan has been calling on Juba to refrain from hosting armed movements fighting the Sudanese government, as well as disengagement between it and the SPLM-N, according agreements signed between the two countries.

- a report by Xinhua featuring Ibrahim Ghandour, NCP official in charge of external relations, in an exclusive interview to Xinhua.  Mr. Ghandour noted that the negotiations in Addis Ababa follow up the implementation of what was agreed upon in September during the summit between the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his Southern Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit.  Ghandour explained that the two countries mainly divide on the affiliation of the Mile (14) area and bicker over the link between South Sudan's army and the 9th and 10th infantry divisions in Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.  "Resolving these two issues will likely to lead to the implementation of all the other agreements including the establishment of the demilitarised zone, demarcation of the joint border and resumption of South Sudan's oil pumping and exporting via Sudan's territories," noted Ghandour.  He further said that the oil issue has already been agreed on, explaining that "we are only looking forward to implementing the security measures because without security, the oil exportation will not be possible.  Security is the base of any successful economic cooperation between the two countries."

Note, on 01 March 2013 Russia assumed the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council. 
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon Latest Statements

UNITED NATIONS, New York, Friday 08 March 2013 - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the establishment of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone between Sudan and South Sudan and the activation of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism

The Secretary-General welcomes the agreement signed today by Sudan and South Sudan on the establishment of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone, the deployment of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and the activation of all security related mechanisms as of 10 March 2013.  With this agreement, there should be no further conditions in the way of immediate implementation of the other signed 27 September agreements, including the agreement on oil.

The Secretary-General reiterates the United Nations readiness to support the operations of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism  and assist the parties in the implementation of these agreements.

Source:  http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=6644
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Ban welcomes new border agreements between Sudan and South Sudan

(UN News Centre) Friday 08 March 2013 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed an agreement on signed today by Sudan and South Sudan which aim to strengthen border security and lead to the permanent resolution of outstanding issues between the two countries.

Today’s agreement, according to a statement [http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=6644] released by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson, concerns the establishment of a safe demilitarised border zone, the deployment of a joint border verification and monitoring mechanism and the activation of agreed security-related mechanisms as of 10 March 2013.

Even though the birth of South Sudan was the culmination of a six-year peace process, which helped bring an end to the long-running conflict between South Sudan and Sudan, the peace between the two countries has been threatened by armed clashes along their common border and outstanding post-independence issues that have yet to be resolved, notably the status of the oil-rich area of Abyei.

Last year, the two countries’ leaders met in Ethiopia, reaching, on 27 September, a key framework agreement for cooperation on security, the common border and economic relations.

“With this agreement, there should be no further conditions in the way of immediate implementation of the other signed 27 September agreements, including the agreement on oil,” Mr. Ban’s spokesman said in his statement today.

Through today’s statement, the Secretary-General also reiterated the United Nations readiness to support the operations of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and assist the parties in the implementation of these agreements, the spokesperson said.

Source:  http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44328&Cr=sudan&Cr1=#.UTqa5Bl0F2I
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Sudan, South Sudan sign agreement for implementation of security arrangements

ADDIS ABABA, Friday 08 March 2013 (Xinhua) - Sudan and South Sudan on Friday signed agreement for practical implementation of the security agreements, which the two countries signed in September last year.

The two countries signed the agreement at the conclusion of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) meeting started last Thursday and co-chaired by Defence Ministers Abdel Rahim Muhammed Hussein of Sudan, and John Kong Nyuon of South Sudan here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The JPSM has been discussing the implementation of the agreements that were signed in September last year, said former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who is Chairperson of the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP).

The two Ministers together with former President Abubakar Abdulsalam of Nigeria on the side of the AUHIP signed the agreement for translation into action of the security agreements reached on September 27 in Addis Ababa.

Stating that the JPSM meeting had been held in December, January and now to work on the practical implementation program, Mbeki said: "Fortunately and happily, those discussions have now been concluded."

They are not general documents; they are specific documents which will require implementation of all the elements of security agreements in last September, said Mbeki.

(Editor: yan)
Source:  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/09/c_132219567.htm
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Sudan, South to withdraw forces from border zone

ADDIS ABABA, Friday 08 March 2013 3:35pm EST (Reuters) - Sudan and South Sudan agreed on Friday to order their forces out of a demilitarised border zone within a week, a mediator said, possibly opening the way to the resumption of oil exports from the south.

South Sudan seceded from the north in 2011 after decades of war but border disputes and disagreements over oil pipeline fees have dragged on, delaying much-needed economic development.

The landlocked South shut down its oil production of 350,000 barrels per day more than a year ago during a row over how much it should pay the north to pipe its crude to a coastal terminal for export.

With oil the lifeline of both economies, the move has strained their state budgets, weakened currencies, stoked inflation and worsened economic hardship.

Defence ministers from both sides met on Friday for a new round of talks in Addis Ababa to set up a buffer zone along their frontier.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who chairs an African Union mediation panel, said the two had agreed to order their forces out of the demilitarised zone by March 14.

"D-day is March 10. The agreement calls for immediate orders (for withdrawal) to be issued within d-day plus four days," he told a news conference in the Ethiopian capital.

The two countries will finish withdrawing their troops from the demilitarised zone by April 5, according to a timetable agreed by both sides seen by Reuters.

The former civil war foes have made a number of agreements about border security in the past, but have failed to implement them.

After teetering on the brink of full-scale conflict in April with the worst border clashes since their split, the two countries agreed in September to set up a buffer zone, which could defuse tensions enough for the South to resume oil output.

But neither side had pulled its army back from the almost 2,000-km (1,200-mile) border due to the mistrust left over from one of Africa's longest civil wars.

Friday's talks were the first in nearly two months.  Two meetings between Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and South Sudan's Salva Kiir in Addis Ababa in January failed to break the stalemate.

Animosity runs high between Bashir's government in Khartoum and his former foes up the Nile in Juba.

Nearly 2 million people died in the north-south civil war, which left South Sudan economically devastated and awash with guns.

Khartoum accuses Juba of backing rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North) in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, two Sudan states bordering the South.

The SPLM-North, made up of fighters who sided with the South during the civil war, controls part of the Sudan side of the border, which complicates setting up the buffer zone.

South Sudan has denied supporting the rebels.

(Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Alexander Dziadosz and Jon Hemming)
Source:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/08/us-sudan-south-borders-idUSBRE92711H20130308
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Sudan, South Sudan agree to pull troops from demilitarised zone

(CNN) Friday 08 March 2013; 23:31 GMT (07:31 HKT) - Sudan and South Sudan signed an agreement Friday to soon withdraw their respective military forces from a demilitarised zone between the two African countries, officials from both nations said.

Signed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the deal was brokered by former South African President Thabo Mbeki. Defence ministers from both Sudan and South Sudan promised they'd implement the agreement later this month.

South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July 2011, following a popular referendum. But the two nations have remained at odds on some issues, including defining their borders and oil exports.

(Reporting by CNN Staff)
Source:  http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/08/world/africa/sudan-south-sudan-agreement/
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South Sudan opposition feuds as ruling SPLM meets

(Voice of America News) Thursday 07 March 2013 - The secretary general of the main opposition party in South Sudan, the SPLM-DC, has resigned, accusing the exiled chairman of his party of stoking divisions.

SPLM-DC Secretary General Sisto Olur Erista said party chair, Lam Akol, has encouraged tribalism in the party.

Akol, who went into exile after South Sudan became independent in July 2011, saying he felt his life was in danger, denied the charges in a telephone interview with VOA News from the Middle East.

As the SPLM-DC was riven by divisions, the ruling SPLM party's political bureau, the main decision-making body of the party, gathered for the first time since the country gained independence two years ago, to discuss changing the party's constitution and manifesto.

The last time the political bureau of the SPLM met was in April 2008, which was also the last time the party held elections.

SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum told reporters before the closed-door politburo meeting that one thing to be discussed is how to help win over voters to the party.

The three-day meeting of the SPLM politburo is being chaired by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, and comes ahead of an extraordinary convention of the SPLM, which is scheduled to be held next week.
Source:  http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-opposition-feud-ruling-splm-meets/1617088.html
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Interview: Khartoum's ruling NCP urges Juba to show political will to overcome differences

KHARTOUM, Wednesday 06 March 2013 (Xinhua) - Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) urged the South Sudanese government Wednesday to show the necessary political will to overcome the differences between the two countries ahead of their new round of negotiations.

"We are looking forward to an active political will on the part of our brothers in South Sudan to reach a comprehensive settlement for the issues of difference," said Ibrahim Ghandour, NCP official in charge of external relations, in an exclusive interview to Xinhua.

He noted that the negotiations, slated to resume in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Thursday [07 March], will follow up the implementation of what was agreed upon in September during the summit between the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his Southern Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit.

He explained that the two countries mainly divide on the affiliation of the Mile (14) area and bicker over the link between South Sudan's army and the 9th and 10th infantry divisions in Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.

"Resolving these two issues will likely to lead to the implementation of all the other agreements including the establishment of the demilitarized zone, demarcation of the joint border and resumption of South Sudan's oil pumping and exporting via Sudan's territories," noted Ghandour.

He further said that the oil issue has already been agreed on, explaining that "we are only looking forward to implementing the security measures because without security, the oil exportation will not be possible. Security is the base of any successful economic cooperation between the two countries."

Ghandour expressed optimism over this round of talks, saying "I expect it to be more positive than the previous ones, but we are looking forward to an active will on the part of South Sudan's leadership."

"After the conclusion of the presidential meeting in September, they refused to implement the agreement regarding the Mile (14) area despite the fact that it was signed by President Salva Kiir," said Ghandour. "They also rejected the border agreement despite the fact that it was presented by the technical committee to the two presidents who signed  it."

That said, Ghandour reiterated the NCP's commitment to what was agreed on with the south.

The African Union mediation, led by Thabo Mbeki, recently urged Sudan and South Sudan to resume their talks.

He urged the two countries to implement what they have agreed on and fulfill their commitments, warning them against any unjustified delay.

Mbeki is also expected to ask the two countries' presidents to meet on the sidelines of the forthcoming African Union summit in Addis Ababa, since recent rounds of talks between Khartoum and Juba have ended without any progress.

On Sept. 27, Sudan and South Sudan signed a package of agreements on various issues during a presidential summit in the capital of Ethiopia.

Witnessed by the members of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan, the two sides inked three deals on cooperation, security and post-secession matters. However, the signed agreements did not tackle the issues of Abyei and border demarcation.

(Editor: yan)
Source:  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/07/c_132213922.htm
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Sudan, South Sudan to resume security talks in Addis Ababa Thursday

KHARTOUM, Wednesday 06 March 2013; 17:10:32 (Xinhua) - Meetings of the joint political and security committee between Sudan and South Sudan are to resume on Thursday [07 March] in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa after failing to resume by mid of last February, Khartoum's Al-Intibaha daily reported Wednesday.

"The political and security committee of Sudan and South Sudan will resume its meetings in Addis Ababa on Thursday with the participation of the two countries' defence ministers," the report said.

"Khartoum is adherent to its proposal according to the security agreement signed by the two countries," the paper quoted a security source in the committee as saying, noting that the Sudanese government delegation has left for Addis Ababa.

However, until Tuesday Juba has not yet submitted its proposals to the African committee of experts regarding the border differences, the report said.

It added that the African Union mediation mechanism on the outstanding issues between the two countries was expected to present a negotiating document to Sudan's delegation concerning the negotiation with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector.

Head of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki has recently called on Sudan and South Sudan to resume the negotiations with the participation of what he termed as key players.

Mbeki expressed hope that the coming round of negotiations between Khartoum and Juba would be successful.

On September 27 last year, Sudan and South Sudan signed a package of agreements on various issues during a presidential summit in the capital of Ethiopia.

Witnessed by the AUHIP members, the two sides inked three deals on cooperation, security and post-secession matters.

However, the signed agreements did not tackle the issues of Abyei and border demarcation.

Though months elapsed since the two sides have signed the cooperation agreement, yet they failed to implement it on the ground.

(Editor: Sha Sha)
Source:  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2013-03/06/c_132213397.htm
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Sudan delegate: UN Security Council supports Sudan position

KHARTOUM, Friday 08 March 2013 (Sudan Vision Daily) - Representative of the Sudan to the UN, Ambassador Dafallah Al-Haj Ali said that the assurances of the UNSC sanctions team that the South government harbouring the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the presence of SPLA forces in a number of Sudanese locations considered the first document issued by the UN and matches what demanded by the Sudan to the Government of the State of South Sudan to lift her hand on the armed movements and rebels support.

Ambassador Ali said that the report of the Sanctions Committee in this regard is as a result of the complaints that have been provided by Sudan's mission to the Security Council about the excesses of Juba government and its support for the rebels. He revealed that Sudan's mission will ask the Security Council to take clear action to pressure on the South government to stop its support of the rebel movements.

On the other hand, the government considered that the report of the UN that JEM has a military base in South Sudan was a declaration of what was confirmed by Sudan that the Government of South Sudan harbours a number of Sudanese armed movements, including SPLM-N.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Abu Bakr Mohamed Al-Amin said, in a press statement, that the report represents an evidence from an international body, which cannot be accused of bias for Sudan.

He added that Sudan has been calling on Juba to refrain from hosting armed movements fighting the Sudanese government, as well as disengagement between it and the SPLM-N, according agreements signed between the two countries.

(Reporting by Staff Writer)
Source:  http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/details.html?rsnpid=220261
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Postscript by the Editor of SUDAN WATCH

On March 01, 2013 Russia assumed the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council.

The main theme of Russian presidency will be Afghan reconciliation.

Russian presidency will focus on problems of Middle East and further efforts of the Quartet to accomplish all-encompassing regional reconciliation.  The UN SC work on reconciliation Sudan and Southern Sudan will be continued.

The Security Council will consider the situation in Southern Sudan and the activity if the deployed there UN peacekeeping mission. 

Issues of the activity of the UN SC Commissions for Iran sanctions, for Somalia and Eritrea will be touched upon.

Full story at:  http://www.thepresidentpost.com/?p=25942

Thank you for reading SUDAN WATCH.

FULL TEXT: UN Security Council Report May 2012 Sudan and South Sudan

FOR future reference, here below is a copy of an important and detailed report from the UN Security Council. The report, entitled "UN Security Council Report May 2012 Sudan and South Sudan", was published online Monday, 30 April 2012. Note that the US is the lead country on UNISFA and Sudan-South Sudan issues.  During the month of April 2012 the US presided over the Security Council;  in the chair was US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Susan E. Rice, US Mission to the United Nations. Click here to read remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice at the Security Council Stakeout in New York on 26 April 2012.

Also, note that the UN Security Council Presidency for the remainder of 2012 is as follows: MAY: Azerbaijan. JUNE: China. JULY: Colombia. AUGUST: France. SEPTEMBER: Germany. OCTOBER: Guatemala. NOVEMBER: India. DECEMBER: Morocco. View list at http://www.un.org/sc/presidency.asp

UN SECURITY COUNCIL REPORT MAY 2012 SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN
Expected Council Action
In May, the Council will likely renew the mandate of the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA), which expires on 27 May.

Additional Council meetings on Sudan-South Sudan issues may occur, given the sharp deterioration of relations between the two countries in April. At press time, it appeared that the Council might begin negotiating a resolution on this matter.

Key Recent Developments
After skirmishes along the Sudan-South Sudan border in late March, Sudan cancelled a summit meeting between President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and President Salva Kiir of South Sudan that had been scheduled for 3 April in Juba. In the ensuing days and weeks, the violence in the border regions escalated significantly, although neither side made a formal declaration of war.

On 10 April, South Sudan seized the disputed border area of Heglig, which is approximately 100 kilometres east of the disputed Abyei region. It said it had done so while repulsing attacks by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Sudan labelled the seizure of Heglig an act of aggression and vowed to retake the area. Rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement, the Darfur-based rebel group, were reported to be fighting alongside the South Sudan forces occupying Heglig. In a letter to the Council on 14 April, South Sudan indicated that it would leave Heglig if an international monitoring mechanism were put in place, urging the Council to consider deploying a “neutral” force there until its final status can be settled. (While disputed, Heglig has been administered by Sudan since South Sudan achieved independence in July 2011. The area accounts for roughly half of Sudan’s oil production of 115,000 barrels per day.)

On 11 April, Edmond Mulet, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, briefed Council members in consultations on the most recent report of the Secretary-General on Abyei and the tensions between Sudan and South Sudan (S/2012/175).  During the consultations, it was noted that the situation in Abyei had reached a stalemate. As indicated in the Secretary-General’s recent report, security forces from both sides remain in the region, the parties have not agreed on the Abyei Area Administration and the final status of Abyei has not been determined. (The goal of the Abyei Area Administration would be to provide basic services to the population, propose development projects, and promote security and stability in the region.) It appears that the discussion also focused on the fighting that had occurred along the Sudan-South Sudan border in the prior days, especially regarding the seizure of Heglig.

On 12 April, Sudan dropped six bombs near Bentiu, the capital of South Sudan’s Unity state, claiming the life of a South Sudanese soldier. Five bombs were also dropped on the town of Mayom, also in Unity, on April 16, killing eight civilians and hitting a logistics base belonging to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

There were also reports of ground combat between the SAF and South Sudanese forces on 18-19 April in areas other than Heglig. The Sudanese Media Centre, a pro-Khartoum news agency, reported that the SAF drove South Sudanese forces across the border after fighting in Al-Meram, South Kordofan. A South Sudan government spokesperson also said that other skirmishes occurred in Northern el-Ghazal and in Western Bahr el-Ghazal, states located in the western part of South Sudan.

On 12 April, the Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2012/12) in which it, inter alia:

• expressed deep and growing alarm at the escalation of the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan;
• demanded “a complete, immediate, and unconditional” end to all fighting, including a withdrawal of South Sudan from Heglig and an end to aerial bombings by the SAF, cross-border violence by both countries and support by each side to proxy forces on the other side of the border;
• urged both sides to establish a safe demilitarised border zone; and
• reiterated its demand for both sides to withdraw their security forces from Abyei.

The Council was one of several institutional voices expressing deep concern at the actions of Sudan and South Sudan. On 11 April, the EU issued a press statement calling both the occupation of Heglig by South Sudan and the bombings of South Sudanese territory by Sudan “completely unacceptable”. Likewise, in a press statement issued on 12 April, the AU Peace and Security Council “strongly condemned” the conduct of Sudan and South Sudan, demanding the withdrawal of South Sudan from Heglig and an end to Sudan’s aerial bombardments of South Sudan. Key UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, also voiced alarm at the escalation of violence between the two countries and its impact on civilians.

On 12 April, Kiir addressed South Sudan’s National Legislature on the state of relations between the two countries. He said that, in response to a request from Ban to withdraw from Heglig during a phone call the day before, he told the Secretary-General, “I am not under your command.” While indicating that South Sudan was committed to peace, Kiir said that it would defend itself.

On 17 April, Council members held an “informal interactive dialogue” focusing on the latest developments along the Sudan-South Sudan border. Thabo Mbeki, chair of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan and South Sudan, and Haile Menkerios, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Sudan and South Sudan, addressed Council members during the meeting. Mbeki and Menkerios alerted Council members that hardliners had the upper hand in both Juba and Khartoum and that both parties were “locked in a logic of war.” Council members also discussed potential strategies to exert leverage on the parties to induce their cooperation, including the threat of sanctions.

On 20 April, Kiir’s office issued a press release announcing that South Sudan had begun to withdraw from Heglig, in accordance with the Security Council’s presidential statement of 12 April and “in response to appeals by world leaders and to create an environment for the resumption of dialogue with Sudan.” South Sudan further said that it expected the status of Heglig and other areas along the border to be referred to international arbitration. On the same day, Sudan declared that it had retaken Heglig.

Fighting continued in the next days. On 22 April, media reports indicated that Sudan had engaged South Sudan across the border in Unity State. On 23 April, Sudan dropped two bombs in Bentiu, reportedly killing three people.  

Actions and statements of officials on both sides during the month reflected the heightened tensions between the countries. On 16 April, members of the Sudanese parliament voted unanimously to treat the government of South Sudan as an “enemy”.  On 18 April, Bashir referred to the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement, the ruling party in Juba, as “insects” and said that the people of South Sudan needed to be freed from them.  While visiting Heglig on 23 April, Bashir said that the time for talking had ended and that South Sudan understood only “the language of guns and ammunition.” On 24 April, while on a state visit to China, Kiir said that Sudan had “declared war on the Republic of South Sudan”.

On 24 April, Hervé Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hilde Johnson, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, and Menkerios, briefed Council members during consultations. Council members were informed that, since the departure of South Sudan from Heglig, Sudan had carried out ground incursions into South Sudan and conducted aerial bombardments there that claimed the lives of 16 civilians and wounded 34 others.

Also on 24 April, the AU Peace and Security Council issued a comprehensive communiqué that included a “roadmap” which, inter-alia, called for:

• an end to hostilities, including aerial bombardments, within 48 hours;
• a cessation by both countries of support for rebel groups fighting against the other country;
• an end to “hostile propaganda and inflammatory statements in the media;”
• establishment within one week of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mission and the Secure Demilitarised Border Zone along the border separating the two countries; and
• redeployment of security forces of both parties from Abyei.

The communiqué further urged Sudan and South Sudan to resume negotiations on oil revenue, citizenship issues, border demarcation, and the status of Abyei, within two weeks. If the parties fail to reach agreement on “any or all” of these issues within three months of resuming negotiations, the communiqué requested that the AU High-Level Implementation Panel submit a report on the status of negotiations, “including detailed proposals on all outstanding issues, to be endorsed as final and binding solutions to the post-secession relations.” It added that the AU was seeking the “endorsement of, and support by” the UN Security Council of this decision.

Key Issues
A key issue is whether and how the Council can exert sufficient leverage on the parties to deter them from expanding their conflict, induce them to cease fighting, and convince them to return in good faith to the negotiating table. Since February, the Council has produced two press statements and two presidential statements regarding the situation in Sudan and South Sudan with what appears to be minimal impact on the calculations of the parties.

Key issues related to the renewal of the mandate of UNISFA, that will likely be on Council members’ minds, include:

• the presence of security forces from both sides in Abyei in violation of prior agreements;
• the impact that the presence of Sudanese troops in Abyei has in deterring displaced persons from returning to the region;
• the lack of progress by the parties in establishing the Abyei Area Administration; and
• the lack of progress by the parties in establishing the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism along their mutual border.

Another important issue is the ongoing humanitarian crisis unfolding in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states in Sudan. (Sudan has yet to respond to the AU, UN, and Arab League tripartite proposal of 9 February, which presented a plan to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in both government and rebel controlled territories of both states.)

Options
With respect to Abyei, the most likely option is for the Council to adopt a resolution renewing the mandate of UNISFA. The Council may request to be briefed by Tadesse Werede Tesfay, the force commander and head of mission, on recent developments in Abyei and activities of the mission. In adopting the resolution, the Council could reiterate key messages to the parties, including:

• emphasising the need for the security forces of Sudan and South Sudan to leave Abyei;
• urging the parties to establish the Abyei Area Administration by making the necessary compromises on appointments to the body; and
• urging the parties to expedite the establishment of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism.

On the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan more broadly, the Council may also consider coercive measures to induce the parties to cease their fighting, including:

• the threat of sanctions on the parties;
• the imposition of a buffer zone along the border; and
• the imposition of a no-fly zone along the border.

The Council may also consider using elements of the 24 April AU Peace and Security Council communiqué as a basis for a resolution addressing the situation in Sudan and South Sudan.

The ad-hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa might also be a forum in which the Council could strive to develop strategies to forestall the escalation of conflict between Sudan and South Sudan.

Council Dynamics
Some elected members believe that key permanent members have demonstrated a greater willingness to compromise in recent months than had been the case in the past on issues related to Sudan and South Sudan. The output of the Council since mid-February on Sudan and South Sudan—including two press statements and two presidential statements—appears to demonstrate progress in terms of the ability of members to be flexible and pragmatic in negotiations. This progress seems to be a departure from the sense of stalemate in the Council that some members perceived throughout much of 2011.

While differences remain on some issues, Council members are unified in their concern about the deteriorating state of relations between Sudan and South Sudan. Among other things, most members are particularly critical of the ongoing bombardment of South Sudan by Sudan, the seizure by South Sudan of Heglig, and the fighting along the Sudan-South Sudan border more generally. At present, it also seems that the Council—as well as the AU, individual member states, and key UN officials—is working hard to consider strategies that will have maximum leverage on the parties, as relations between Sudan and South Sudan have deteriorated over the past month in spite of the Council’s significant engagement.

It seems that many Council members welcome the 24 April communiqué of the AU Peace and Security Council, and continue to support the strong role of the AU in mediating between Sudan and South Sudan.  Some members likewise believe that the communiqué might serve as a useful springboard for negotiations on a resolution addressing the tensions between the two countries.

The US is the lead country on UNISFA and Sudan-South Sudan issues.

UN Documents

Security Council Resolutions
S/RES/2032 (22 December 2011) renewed UNISFA’s mandate.
S/RES/2024 (14 December 2011) added a border-monitoring support role to UNISFA’s mandate.
S/RES/1990 (27 June 2011) established UNISFA.

Latest Secretary-General’s Report
S/2012/175 (23 March 2012) was the latest report on Abyei.

Presidential Statements
S/PRST/2012/12 (12 April 2012) demanded that South Sudan withdraw from Heglig and that Sudan end its aerial bombardments.
S/PRST/2012/5 (6 March 2012) urged the parties to reach agreement on the unresolved issues separating them.

Press Statements
SC/10594 (27 March 2012) was primarily on the violence along the Sudan- South Sudan border.
SC/10543 (14 February 2012) was on South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Other
S/2012/225 (14 April 2012) was a letter from South Sudan to the Security Council.

Other Relevant Facts


UNISFA: Size and Composition
Maximum authorised strength: up to 4,200 military and 50 police


Deployment as of 31 March:  3,779 total uniformed personnel (including 3,716 troops and 83 military observers); also includes 32 international civilian personnel (as of 31 December 2011).

Troop contributor: Ethiopia

[End of copy]

Source of copy, with thanks to: www.securitycouncilreport.org
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FURTHER READING
SUDAN WATCH - Tuesday, 01 May 2012:
FULL TEXT: African Union Peace and Security Council Roadmap for action by Sudan and South Sudan
http://sudanwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/full-text-african-union-peace-and.html

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FULL TEXT: African Union Peace and Security Council Roadmap for action by Sudan and South Sudan

FOR the record, here below is a copy of an important document published 26 April 2012 by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU PSC) regarding the situation between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.  The document shows that the AU PSC has decided to adopt a seven point Roadmap outlined below, for implementation by both Sudan and South Sudan, in order to ease the current tension, facilitate the resumption of negotiations on post‐secession relations and the normalisation of their relations. 

AFRICAN UNION
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, P.O. Box: 3243

Tel.: (251‐11) 5513 822

Fax: (251‐11) 5519 321 

Email: situationroom@africa‐union.org

PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 319TH MINISTERIAL MEETING

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA 24 APRIL 2012

PSC/MIN/COMM/3.(CCCXIX)

COMMUNIQUÉ

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 319th meeting held, at ministerial level, on 24 April 2012, adopted the following decision on the situation between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan:

Council,

1. Takes note of the paragraphs on the situation between Sudan and South Sudan, as contained in the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Guinea Bissau, Mali and between Sudan and South Sudan, and the briefing given by former President Pierre Buyoya on behalf of the AU High‐Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP). Council also takes note of the statements made by the representatives of the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan, as well as by IGAD, the United Nations and other bilateral and multilateral partners;

2. Recalls the communiqués adopted at its 310th and 317th meetings, held on 14 February and 12 April 2012, respectively, as well as the press statements issued by the Chairperson of the Commission on 11, 17 and 22 April 2012. Council also recalls the communiqué issued by the 3rd meeting of the Sudan‐South Sudan Consultative Forum, held in Addis Ababa on 29 March 2012, under the auspices of the AU and the UN;

3. Expresses grave concern at the prevailing situation along the border between Sudan and South Sudan, which poses a serious threat to peace and security in both countries and in the region as a whole, undermines the economic viability of the two countries, as well as the rights and welfare of their citizens;

4. Further expresses deep concern at the humanitarian situation created by the fighting between Sudan and South Sudan, the aerial bombardments, the continued fighting in the states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, in Sudan, as well as the fate of the nationals of both countries resident in each other’s territory, following the end of the transition period that occurred on 8 April 2012;

5. Welcomes the withdrawal from Heglig of the army of South Sudan and calls for the immediate cessation of aerial bombardments by the Sudan Armed Forces against South Sudan.

6. Strongly condemns the violations of human rights of non‐combatants in the affected area, the damage to economic infrastructure, in particular oil installations, and the inflammatory statements from both sides in the media resulting in mutual demonization and the threat of hostile action by extremist elements, including xenophobic attacks;

7. Reaffirms its strong commitment to the respect for the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan and South Sudan and the inviolability of the border between the two countries, defined as that existing at the time of Sudan’s independence on 1 January 1956, taking into account the disputed areas as agreed in the deliberations of the Technical ad hoc Boundary Committee. Council reiterates that the territorial boundaries of states shall not be altered by force, and that any territorial disputes shall be settled exclusively by peaceful means;

8. Recalls the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as well as the Charter of the United Nations, which prohibit the use of force or the threat of force among Member States and call for non‐interference in the internal affairs of Member States and for peaceful settlement of all disputes;

9. Welcomes the continuing efforts of Africa and the rest of the international community to support the Parties in addressing the legacy of conflict and bitterness in Sudan, notably through the conclusion of the January 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), its implementation, in particular the holding of the referendum on self‐determination of South Sudan, and the negotiations on post‐secession relations. Council commends the efforts of the AUHIP, headed by former President Thabo Mbeki and including former Presidents Abdulsalami Abubakar and Pierre Buyoya, the Chairperson of IGAD, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the United Nations Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Haile Menkerios, and the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) under the leadership of Lieutenant General Tesfay Tadesse, as well as the support provided by AU’s partners, including the Troika on Sudan (Norway, United Kingdom and the USA), the members of the Security Council, the European Union (EU) and the League of Arab States;

10. Expresses Africa’s dismay and deep disappointment at the failure of the leadership in both countries, to build on the goodwill of Africa and the rest of the international community, as well as on the achievements they have already made, to address their post‐secession relations, live up to their stated commitment to the principle of two viable states, in peace with one another, and create the necessary conditions of peace, security and stability to meet the most basic needs of their peoples;

11. Expresses deep concern at the failure of the Parties to implement agreements that they themselves have freely entered into, in particular the Agreement on the Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area of 20 June 2011, the Agreement on Border Security and the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) of 29 June 2011, the Agreement on the Border Monitoring Support Mission of 30 July 2011, the decisions of the JPSM of 18 September 2011, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Non‐Aggression and Cooperation of 10 February 2012;

12. Decides, in light of the above, to adopt the Roadmap outlined below, for implementation by both Sudan and South Sudan, in order to ease the current tension, facilitate the resumption of negotiations on post‐secession relations and the normalization of their relations:

(i) immediate cessation of all hostilities, including aerial bombardments, with the Parties formally conveying their commitment in this respect to the Chairperson of the Commission, within 48 hours;

(ii) unconditional withdrawal of all of their armed forces to their side of the border, in accordance with previously adopted Agreements, including the Agreement on the Border Monitoring Support Mission of 30 July 2011;

(iii) activation, within a week from the adoption of this decision, of the necessary border security mechanisms, namely the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mission (JBVMM), the Secure Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ), in accordance with the administrative and security map presented to the Parties by the AUHIP in November 2011, it being understood that this map in no way prejudices ongoing negotiations on the disputed areas and demarcation of the border. In this respect, Council calls on UNISFA to take the necessary steps to provide force protection and logistical support, in accordance with relevant provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2024 (2012);

(iv) cessation of harbouring of, or support to, rebel groups against the other state;

(v) activation of the ad hoc Committee, under the JPSM, to receive and investigate complaints and allegations made by one party against the other. In this regard, Council requests the AUHIP to convene a meeting of the JPSM, within ten (10) days of the adoption of the present decision;

(vi) immediate cessation of hostile propaganda and inflammatory statements in the media, as well as of any attacks against the property, religious and cultural symbols belonging to the nationals of the other State. To this end, the two governments must take full responsibility for the protection of each other’s nationals in line with international principles, as agreed in the Framework Agreement initialed in March 2012. In this regard, Council requests the Commission, in close collaboration with the United Nations and relevant agencies, to design a monitoring mechanism to verify compliance by both Parties; and

(vii) implementation of pending aspects of the 20 June 2011 Agreement on Temporary Security and Administrative Arrangements for the Abyei Area, in particular the redeployment, within two weeks, of all Sudanese and South Sudanese forces out of Abyei. Council requests UNISFA to report on compliance with this decision, for further action by Council as necessary;

13. Urges the Parties unconditionally to resume negotiations, under the auspices of the AUHIP and with the support of the Chairman of IGAD, within two weeks, at a time to be set by the Panel in consultation with relevant international partners, to reach agreement on the following critical issues:

(i) arrangements concerning oil and associated payments;

(ii) the status of nationals of one country resident in the other, in accordance with the Framework Agreement initialed in March 2012;

(iii) resolution of the status of the disputed and claimed border areas and the demarcation of the border; and

(iv) the final status of Abyei.

14. Decides that these negotiations must be concluded within three months of the adoption of this decision. Should these negotiations fail to result in an agreement on any or all of the issues identified above within the allotted timeframe of three months, Council requests the AUHIP to submit to it a comprehensive report on the status of the negotiations, including detailed proposals on all outstanding issues, to be endorsed as final and binding solutions to the post‐secession relations. Council undertakes to seek the endorsement of, and support by, the United Nations Security Council of the same;

15. Further decides that failure by either Party to implement the provisions of the Roadmap outlined in paragraph 12 above, or to cooperate in good faith with the Panel towards the conclusion of the negotiations on the outstanding issues as enumerated in paragraph 13 above, will result in Council taking appropriate measures, as provided for in the Peace and Security Council Protocol and the Constitutive Act of the AU, and to seek the support of the UN Security Council and all AU partners to measures it may take;

16. Reiterates AU’s conviction that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, and stresses therefore the urgent need for a political and negotiated solution, based on respect for diversity in unity. Council requests the Government of Sudan and the SPLM‐North to extend full cooperation to the AUHIP and the Chair of IGAD, to reach a negotiated settlement on the basis of the Framework Agreement on Political Partnership between NCP and SPLM‐N and Political and Security Arrangements in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan States. Pending the convening of talks by the AUHIP, Council calls on the Government to accept the tripartite proposal submitted by the African Union, the United Nations and the League of Arab States, to permit humanitarian access to the affected population in the two areas;

17. Requests all AU Member States to support and abide by this decision, bearing in mind the provisions of article 7 (2 & 3) of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council, under which Member States agreed that, in carrying out its duties, Council acts on their behalf, and undertook to accept and implement the decisions of Council, in accordance with the AU Constitutive Act;

18. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to transmit this decision to the United Nations Security Council, as well as to all other AU partners. Council seeks the support of the Security Council and its endorsement, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, of the Roadmap of paragraphs 12 and 13 above. Council also requests the Chairperson of the Commission, in consultation with the Secretary‐General of the United Nations, to urgently convene a meeting of the Sudan and South Sudan Consultative Forum, to mobilize its full support for the present decision and agree on practical ways and means for the implementation of its relevant provisions;

19. Further requests the Chairperson of the Commission to followup on the implementation of this decision and to take all steps deemed necessary to this end, including interaction at the highest level with the Sudanese parties, involving as appropriate relevant AU organs, including a visit to both countries by a delegation of Council;

20. Looks forward to the submission by the Chairperson of the Commission of monthly factual reports on the evolution over the situation on the ground and compliance by Sudan and South Sudan with the relevant provisions of this decision, status of the negotiations on all pending issues and efforts to mobilize increased support from the international community, in order to enable it take appropriate decisions as maybe called for by the evolution of the situation;

21. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

[End of copy]

Source of copy, with thanks to:  Relief Web

UPDATE ON WEDNESDAY, 02 MAY 2012:
Read SUDAN WATCH - Wednesday, 02 May 2012:
FULL TEXT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL REPORT MAY 2012 SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN