Addis Ababa, 2 May 2012: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, has received a letter from the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Sudan, Mr. Ali Ahmed Karti, in which the latter communicated Sudan’s acceptance in principle of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) Roadmap, as contained in its communiqué of 24 April 2012, as well as his country’s full readiness to continue to cooperate with the AU, through the High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), to reach solutions on all pending issues in the post-secession relations between Sudan and South Sudan, in particular the security issues.

The Chairperson of the Commission regards this communication as a positive step in the right direction, and is encouraged by Sudan’s renewed commitment to cooperate with the AUHIP in the discharge of its mandate.

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU’s determination to ensure the full implementation of all aspects of the Roadmap, which represents the collective and considered view of Africa on the issues at hand. He stresses, once again, the need for the Parties to extend full and unreserved cooperation towards the scrupulous implementation of the Roadmap.  In this respect, the AUHIP is making the necessary arrangements for the urgent resumption of negotiations on all pending issues.

In the meantime, the Chairperson of the Commission calls, once again, on the Parties to refrain from any action running contrary to the letter and spirit of the Roadmap in all its aspects. In particular, it is of utmost importance that the Parties refrain from any military action and support to armed movements operating against the other state.  

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