Two Sudans: Cessation of fighting versus sanctions

Although the Security Council resolution has given Sudan and South Sudan just 48 hours to halt hostilities or face sanctions, yet it seems that the situation is adamant to change as news reports are still being circulated on ongoing clashes at the border areas despite the fact that the 48-hour deadline will expire this evening.

While welcoming the United Nations resolution which on Wednesday gave Sudan and the South 48 hours to stop fighting, including air raids, the foreign ministry warned it retains the right to defend itself against “aggression” from the South.

The spokesman of the foreign ministry yesterday issued a statement in which he pointed out that the minister of foreign affairs Ali Karti announced that the government of Sudan welcomes of the UN Security Council resolution which was issued on Wednesday.

“The minister further announces that the government of Sudan is fully committed to the provisions of the resolution about stopping hostilities with South Sudan according to the time limits issued," he added.

Under the UN resolution, Sudan and South Sudan have until Friday evening to end hostilities or face possible sanctions.

Khartoum's pledge came hours after South Sudan's army alleged Sudanese warplanes and long-range artillery were bombarding Southern border regions on Thursday.

In its statement, Sudan's foreign ministry repeated charges that South Sudanese troops on Monday occupied a disputed area on the border of Sudan's Darfur region and South Sudan's Western Bahr el-Ghazal state.

This came a day after the South took over another disputed point on the Darfur border, the ministry said, citing further examples of “continuous aggression and attacks on the part of South Sudan's army on Sudanese soil until today”.

According to the resolution, the two countries should “immediately cease all hostilities” and withdraw troops to their own territory. The two sides further have to submit a written commitment to halt fighting within 48 hours to the African Union and the Security Council.

Among other measures, the resolution orders them to stop supporting rebel groups against each other and says they must restart African Union-mediated peace talks within two weeks.

The two sides implemented the easy part of the resolution by announcing their commitment to abide by the UN's resolution and halt fighting theatrically, but not on the ground.

It is to be mentioned that, among other measures, the resolution orders the two countries to stop supporting rebel groups against each other and says they must restart African Union-mediated peace talks within two weeks.

The resolution threatens “additional measures” under Article 41 of the UN Charter - which allows for non-military sanctions - if either side fails.

The governments of the two states of Sudan should be aware that such sanctions would affect the two sides which will be an additional burden on their economies that are already being bogged down by the continuing conflicts.

The governments of the two countries as were described by Susan Rice, US ambassador to the UN, have a long record of "promises made and promises broken." sparking alarm and condemnation from the international community.

We call on both governments to abide by the UN's resolution and halt fighting immediately to avoid its consequences.  

We hope that the two sides return to their senses and abide by the UN's resolution and halt fighting immediately to avoid its consequences to spare the two countries these possible sanctions.