Sudan, S.Sudan fail to reach understanding

KHARTOUM - Delegations of Sudan and South Sudan to the current negotiations over outstanding issues between them in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa have failed to reach any understanding on the security issue, Khartoum's Al-Sudani daily reported Wednesday.

The two countries failed to reach understanding on the security file, while the African mediators adjourned the session to give the two sides an opportunity for further consultations, according to the report.

"Sudan's negotiating delegation has rejected a proposal presented by South Sudanese delegation on lifting the state of emergency on the border and restoring diplomatic representation between the two nations," the paper quoted Omer Dahab, spokesman of Khartoum's delegation, as saying.

Sudan acknowledges the importance of such requests as lifting the state of emergency and exchange of ambassadors between the two countries, Dahab said, noting that "but they are not related to the security issues" and constitute a deviation from the efforts of laying down pillars of security and stability between the two countries prior to discussing other outstanding issues.

He further reiterated continuation of the meetings of the joint political and security committee, underlining that the committee has completed the discussion of three out of six issues, including cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of each side to its territories and stoppage of supporting the rebel movements.

Dahab meanwhile acknowledged that there were difficulties facing the negotiation process, but reiterated seriousness of the Sudanese government to find a final settlement for the outstanding issues with South Sudan.

Sudan and South Sudan on Monday resumed direct negotiations on outstanding issues in Addis Ababa under the mediation of African Union.

The two sides have negotiated in Addis Ababa on a number of outstanding issues, including security, oil and border, but the negotiations ceased because of the armed clashes between the two countries' armies at the oil-rich border area of Heglig last month.