'Positive atmosphere ' prevails in Addis talks

Sudan & S.Sudan defense ministers

According to both governments' officials and African diplomats “a positive atmosphere has prevailed for the entire duration of security talks” between Sudan and South Sudan in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to come to agreement on steps to implement security arrangements on their borders; at a time when the fighting in the border state of South Kordofan has escalated between Sudanese government and rebel forces.

The African mediation team headed by Thabo Mbeki set new proposals to the delegations of both countries to help with implementation of security arrangement agreements signed by the two last September. Mbeki's intervention became necessary when the two countries failed to agree due to Sudan’s insistence that Juba first disarm SPLM - N before going forward.

The mediators' proposals included measures for building confidence, establishing a buffer zone, ensuring no rebels are harbored by either side and monitoring mechanisms to consist of African and international experts and officials from both sides.

The Sudanese side, however, made several observations on the plan and insisted on disengagement between South Sudan's army and northern rebels. Sudan also demanded a 10-kilometer deep buffer zone be established to stretch to as far as 50-kilometers near hotspots in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states as a way of ensuring that the rebels fighting against Khartoum since June 2011 receive no assistance from South Sudan.

For its part, the South Sudanese team also expressed reservations over the buffer zone and disengagement with the SPLM-North; saying that it rejects Sudan’s demands on this issue which is not a part of their deal, and calling Khartoum's demand that Juba disarm rebels inside Sudan totally unreasonable.

Chief African mediator, Thabo Mbeki

 Chief African mediator, Thabo Mbeki consulted with both countries' defense ministers, providing them with new propositions in order to bring their positions closer and break the stalled talks over the implementation of security arrangements.

Mbeki received on Monday a mixed response from the two parties; the Sudanese delegation accepted the new propositions, while sources in the Ethiopian capital said that the head of the South Sudanese negotiating team, Pagan Amum and defense minister John Kong Nyuon stressed that they maintain their positions on the buffer zone and SPLM-N.

The nature of the propositions was not disclosed by the mediators; but they seem to be assurances to Khartoum that Juba does not support SPLM-N fighters.

Juba denied wielding any sort of authority over Sudanese rebels; pointing out that they are now part of another country, effective since secession of South Sudan in July 2011.

The South Sudanese government also dismissed accusations of supporting Blue Nile and South Kordofan rebels, but Western diplomats demanded on several occasions that Juba cease support to the SPLM-N.

Sudanese Interior Minister, Ibrahim Mahmoud said a positive climate pervaded the corridors where the talks are being held; a sentiment shared by African diplomats who said they expect a breakthrough in the current rounds in terms of a security agreement which has long hindered the rest of the files, most importantly the export of Juba's oil through Sudanese pipelines. A security agreement will definitely pave the way for confidence-building on the basis of strong bilateral relations between the two neighbors. A member of the South Sudan delegation was quoted by Sudan Tribune as saying that the final outcome of the talks may have to wait for Christmas and New Year holidays.

The SPLM-N makes its presence felt

Agar & Arman

The chairman of the SPLM-N, Malik Agar, and general secretary, Yasir Arman, were also in Addis Ababa for consultations with African mediators over the resumption of political talks between their rebel group and the Sudanese government. Sudanese foreign ministry spokesperson, Al-Obeid Al-Marawah denied any talks were held with the SPLM-N, citing that the Sudanese government team charged with negotiating with the rebels was not present Addis Ababa.

The government and SPLM-N have long refused to hold direct talks with each side insisting on their own demands.

Some reports from Addis Ababa say however that the chief mediator failed to make a breakthrough in discussions with the SPLM-N on the resumption of political dialogue with the government.