Two Sudans: Deal reached, what’s next!? (1-2)

Both presidents of Sudan and South Sudan have commended and praised each other on the “breakthrough” they achieved during their talks in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, expressing their commitment to fulfill the deal they reached last Thursday on security, the common border and economic relations which included the oil exports from South Sudan, demilitarized zone and principles of border demarcation.  

Speaking at the signing ceremony, South Sudan president, Salva Kiir Mayardit said the agreement marked a great day for the two nations.

For his part, president Omer Al Bashir also welcomed the deal, saying it reflected a "desire to achieve peace and stability and the mutual benefit" of the two nations, pointing out that he sensed genuine desire on the part of his South Sudanese counterpart and his government  to stick to the terms of the agreement.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has also praised both presidents for "demonstrating the statesmanship that made a comprehensive agreement possible, and for having once again chosen peace over war."

Ki-moon urged both countries to now embark on the implementation of the agreements they have signed and to finalize the processes they have initiated.”

We hope that this time they would really implement these important agreements and that they will not be just an ink on paper! And that the two parties will continue their efforts in order to reach a final agreement and finding solutions to the future of the other disputed and claimed areas and the status of Abyei.

It is now, the responsibility of the media outlets to support such important agreements by playing a positive and constructive role, in reading and interpreting the output of these agreements and keeping away from the negative critique and propaganda for the peace and security of the two countries, for the peace of the region and for the international community.

Let us forget about the past, look ahead and take practical steps towards dealing with the new reality in order to build distinctive neighbourly relations based on coordination and cooperation to serve common interests between the two countries.