Addis Ababa, 15 February 2012: The Chairperson of  the Commission of  the African Union (AU),  Jean  Ping,  continues  to  closely  follow  the  negotiations between  Sudan  and  South Sudan  on  their  post-secession  relations  and  the  steps being  taken  for  their  successful conclusion. 

In  this  respect,  the  Chairperson  of  the  Commission  stresses  the  critical  importance  of  the Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  on  Non-Aggression  and  Cooperation signed  by Sudan  and  South  Sudan  in  Addis  Ababa,  on  10  February  2012,  during  the  extraordinary meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM). He reminds the Parties of the obligations they have contracted under the MoU and the imperative of strictly and faithfully abiding by their commitments. The AU will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground, with a view  to  keeping  the Peace and Security Council  (PSC)  fully  informed of  the implementation  status  of  the  MoU,  especially  in  view  of  the  continued  allegations  and counter-allegations of  incidents, bombardments and troop movements along  the  common border. 

The Chairperson of the Commission would like to echo the call made by the 310th meeting of the  PSC  for  Sudan  and  South  Sudan  to  refrain  from  any  action  and  statement  likely  to complicate  the  situation  and  to  expeditiously  complete  the  ongoing  negotiations  on  their post-secession  relations.  In  this  regard,  he  urges  the  leadership  in  the  two  countries  to demonstrate  the  required  spirit of  compromise  and mutual  accommodation,  as well as  to extend unreserved cooperation to the AU High-Level  Implementation Panel  (AUHIP),  in the conduct of its facilitation role.   

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