The African Union and the United Nations have expressed concern over the slow pace of the negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan.
The Sudan-South Sudan Consultative Forum held its fourth meeting at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Friday involving participants from the African Union, United Nations and from neighbouring countries.A number of representatives from partner countries, the European Union, World Bank and International Monetary Fund were also present together with officials from South Sudan and Sudan.
The participants wrote in the final communiqu√Ö¬Ω that they welcomed the resumption of negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan under the auspices of the African Union Panel.
They also welcomed the decrease in violence along the border between South Sudan and Sudan.
They wrote that they expected South Sudan and Sudan to abide by the deadlines as outlined in the AU and the UN and voiced their concern over the slow pace of implementation of these obligations and of the negotiations.
The Sudan-South Sudan Consultative Forum reminded the both countries that they have to implement all provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2046 without precondition and omissions.
Participants insisted that South Sudan and Sudan must establish a Safe Demilitarized Border Zone even if the current round of negotiations fails.