Oval Office Chat Session: Obama and Kiir

Leaders Discussed Tension Between South Sudan and Sudan

President Obama spoke today with President Kiir to urge him to build on the recent achievements of the nationality and citizenship agreements initialed by South Sudan and Sudan, and to express hope that the two countries’ heads of state will meet soon at a summit, as they had previously agreed.  

President Obama also expressed concern about the growing tensions between South Sudan and Sudan, especially the violent clashes along their shared border and renewed fighting in Southern Kordofan State. 

President Obama underscored the importance of avoiding unilateral actions, and asked President Kiir to ensure that South Sudan’s military exercises maximum restraint and is not involved in or supporting fighting along the border, particularly in Southern Kordofan. 

The President further emphasized the importance of South Sudan and Sudan reaching an agreement on oil.

President Obama welcomed President Kiir’s commitment to moving forward with a summit and to finding peaceful solutions for Sudan and South Sudan.

Clashes Along Border of Sudan and South Sudan

Carney: "Both Sides Must Exert the Greatest Restraint in This Situation"

The following statement has been issued by White House Press Secretary Jay Carney regarding the fighting taking place on the border of Sudan and South Sudan.

The United States is alarmed by the fighting in Southern Kordofan, Sudan, and along a disputed area of the border between Sudan and South Sudan. Both sides must exert the greatest restraint in this situation.

It is critical that the two countries proceed with plans for meetings of the Joint Political Security Mechanism and the Abyei Joint Operations Committee in late March and the presidential summit on April 3. Only through direct contact and negotiations over fundamental issues of security and border management in Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Abyei can Sudan and South Sudan avoid further fighting, achieve vitally needed economic cooperation, and coexist in peace. We also urge Darfur armed movements and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North to exercise restraint and cooperate fully with restoration of peace.

Achieving humanitarian access and protection of the civilian population must be the priority of all those concerned for the people of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Details on the conflict are available here: Aljazeera article

International Engagement Conference for South Sudan

Flag of South Sudan

Statement from National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor

On December 14th and 15th, the U.S. Government and the Republic of South Sudan will co-host an International Engagement Conference for South Sudan in Washington D.C. to support the world’s newest nation as it unveils its vision for development and economic growth priorities. The conference will bring together international partners, private sector and civil society leaders, to discuss opportunities for collaboration and investment in South Sudan. The conference is co-sponsored with several key international partners, including the governments of United Kingdom, Norway, Turkey, the European Union, the African Union, the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the Corporate Council on Africa, and InterAction.

Sudan, South Sudan Face Major Crisis

Statement from National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor

At the President's request, Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough joined Special Envoy for Sudan Princeton Lyman on a visit to Sudan and South Sudan November 20-21. This follows Mr. McDonough’s short visit to Iraq with National Security Advisor to the Vice President and Deputy Assistant to the President Tony Blinken.

In Khartoum, Mr. McDonough and Special Envoy Lyman discussed the urgent crisis in the states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile in Sudan and recent cross-border attacks that threaten the peace between Sudan and South Sudan.

They reiterated the United States’ deep concern over continuing fighting in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile and the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the fighting, which is exacerbated by the Government of Sudan’s blocking of international humanitarian assistance to the civilian population.

The meetings also addressed the state of U.S.-Sudan relations, the importance of resolving the remaining post-Comprehensive Peace Agreement issues between Sudan and South Sudan, and highlighted the importance of bringing peace and justice to Darfur.

In Juba, Mr. McDonough and Special Envoy Lyman addressed these same crises and the need to respect the sovereignty of Sudan, including by ending support for the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The meetings also discussed ways for making progress to resolve the remaining post-Comprehensive Peace Agreement issues.

Photo source: http://www.blackpast.org

Author: International Rescue Committee

Permission: Public Domain