South Sudan seeks permanent court arbitration to ease border dispute
President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday openly said Khartoum is playing games” in its ongoing border conflict with South Sudan. Its neighbour was not maintaining a dialogue, in keeping with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), he said.
We reserve the right to self-defence, under terms of the United Nations charter.”
It would be unfortunate if Khartoum were to use force to assert its claims,” Kiir told members of the assembly. Should that happen, we reserve the right to self-defence, under terms of the United Nations charter.”
The president also briefed lawmakers on the recent African Union Peace and Security Council communique, which was later adopted by the UN Security Council in its resolution 2046. The resolution called for the complete withdrawal of both Sudanese and South Sudanese troops from the disputed oil-producing Abyei region.
While South Sudan complied and took its forces some 10 kilometres from the 1956 border, President Kiir said that Sudan failed to do so, sparking last week’s impasse in ongoing talks facilitated by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
Our position is clear, particularly about the borders. In the event there is no agreement, it should be referred for arbitration,” Kiir said.
Sudan said it did not rule out international arbitration but added such as request raised the question whether Juba was serious about the talks, according to Reuters.
Pagan Amum, South Sudan’s chief negotiator said yesterday, June 13, talks in Addis Ababa would continue on June 19. Sudan has not yet confirmed.
There was no lack of generosity in our dealings with Khartoum.”
The president further defended his country’s decision to halt oil production, saying it was a necessary step to protect the interests of people and defend the foundations of independence, a cause which caused much bloodshed.
Addressing the first session of the country’s national assembly, he said South Sudan had explored all diplomatic options with neighbouring Sudan.
We offered almost US$3 billion in assistance for Sudan [to] offset its revenue losses resulting from our independence. We paid all operating fees for oil transport. We offered to negotiate a transit fee above and beyond fair market rates,” Kiir told the assembly. There was no lack of generosity in our dealings with Khartoum. Even so, Sudan wanted more.”
According to the president, South Sudan lost about US$800 million between December 2011 and January 2012, after Sudan government blocked its oil access and took South Sudan oil by force. Having exhausted all efforts of diplomacy, we could no longer secure delivery of crude oil to buyers through the territory of Sudan,” said Kiir to the applauding lawmakers.
Revenues from oil, prior to the shutdown, accounted for nearly 98 percent of the South Sudan’s annual budget.
