The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union welcomed the outcome of the Summit meeting between President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir and President Salva Kiir Mayardit, held in Addis Ababa, on 4 and 5 January 2013.
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma stressed the significance and importance of the steps agreed to during the Summit with respect to Abyei, the implementation of the landmark Agreements of 27 September 2012 and the borders.She praised the efforts aimed at promoting confidence between South Sudan and Sudan and the broader vision of two viable States at peace with one another and working together on issues of common interest.
Dr Zuma said she was confident that the two leaders would persevere in their efforts and continue to demonstrate the statesmanship and spirit of mutual cooperation in the interest of their two peoples and countries, the region and Africa as a whole.
She commended Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Thabo Mbeki for their relentless efforts and outstanding commitment in discharging their mandate.
Dr Zuma reaffirmed the AU’s determination to continue assisting South Sudan and Sudan to overcome challenges and in building brotherly and good-neighbourly relations between their peoples and countries.