The issues of Abyei, South Kordofan and Blue Nile are crucial both to the sustainability of the agreements signed last week between South Sudan and Sudan and for the sustainability of improved ties between both countries.
US ambassador to the UN Sudan Rice made this statement on Thursday after the UN Security Council meeting.Ambassador Rice told reporters in New York that South Sudan and Sudan have to continue the negotiations on Abyei, borders, and South Kordafan and Blue Nile areas.
She said she was waiting for Thabo Mbeki’s report on Abyei for the UN Security Council to address the issue.
Ambassador Rice said Mr Mbeki’s proposal was consistent with the Abyei protocol and the findings of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and should be the basis of the negotiating efforts going forward.
She said humanitarian access to South Kordofan and Blue Nile was urgent and overdue.
Ambassador Rice urged both parties to implement the agreements faithfully with willingness and readiness.
She added that South Sudan and Sudan need to implement the oil agreement as swiftly as possible for both peoples to benefit again from that important resource.