October 13, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The African Union chief mediator is expected to start next Tuesday a visit to Khartoum and Juba before to brief the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) on the efforts of his panel to settle unresolved issues between the two capitals.
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki will tackle the nine deals the two presidents Omer Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir signed on 27 September; and what he plans to do over Abyei and the disputed areas.
Mbeki also will present a report to the UN Security Council which is expected to endorse the outcome of the AUPSC meeting.
Sudanese sources in Khartoum said he will discuss the steps taken by the two countries to implement the signed deal which are incorporated in what is called "Cooperation Agreement". He will also discuss his proposals over Abyei and the disputed areas on the common borders.
Sudan refused a proposal to hold Abyei referendum in October 2013, also South Sudan does not seem enthusiast to the formation of an administration where Abyei Legislative Council will be chaired by a Misseriya.
US Ambassador to the Security Council praised Mbeki's proposal over Abyei saying it "is consistent with the Abyei protocol and the findings of the Permanent Court of Arbitration." Susan Rice further expressed hope that it will remain the basis of the ongoing efforts to settle the conflict.
Mbeki recently asked Khartoum to send its ambassador to South Sudan, and demanded Juba to take tangible measures supporting the implementation of the signed deals.
Mutrif Sidiq who was part of the negotiating team arrived last Tuesday in Juba as the South Sudanese parliament is recalled to deliberate on the 27 September agreement and to ratify it.
The chief mediator also asked that the defence ministers of both countries assign their force which will to be deployed on 14 mile area.
(ST)