Sudan, South Sudan vow to solve outstanding disputes

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday said all challenges which were hampering progress of the relations between Sudan and South Sudan have been removed, vowing to reach a settlement on the issue of the disputed area of Abyei. "All barriers have been removed and we are currently moving to implement the cooperation agreements and reactivate all the mechanisms. The two countries are seeking, with a political will, to resolve the issues which are still outstanding," said al-Bashir at the Sudanese National Assembly (parliament) Monday. "I will work with my brother Salva Kiir Mayardit to find a solution for the Abyei issue to be satisfactory to all the political components and local communities in the area," he added. Al-Bashir further commended the recent understanding between Khartoum and Juba, saying "we have agreed to determine the zero line to establish the demilitarized zone to expedite the opening of the border passages. We also seek to expedite the demarcation of the border between the two countries." On Oct. 22, al-Bashir visited Juba, capital of South Sudan, where he held talks with his South Sudanese counterpart Kiir. The two sides issued a joint communique at the conclusion of their talks where they also agreed to prevent support and host of armed groups in the two countries. The two countries also agreed to expedite the establishment of Abyei administration, its legislative council and police bodies together with the importance of paying the 2 percent share allotted for Abyei from the revenues of the oil produced at the area.