PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 310TH MEETING

Automatic Heading TextDate |14 FEBRUARY, 2012
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

COMMUNIQUÉ

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 310th Meeting, held on 13 February 2013, in Addis Ababa, adopted the following decision on the status of negotiations between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan on their post-secession relations:

Council,

1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the status of the negotiations between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan on the pending aspects of their post-secession relations [PSC/PR/2.(CCCX)] introduced by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, as well as the briefings by the Chairperson of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), former President Thabo Mbeki, and the UN Special Envoy Haile Menkerios. Council also takes note of the statements made by the representatives of the Government of the Republic of the Sudan and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, as well as by the representations of the following organisations and countries: European Union, United Nations, Norway, United Kingdom and United States of America;

2. Commends the AUHIP and its members, former Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Pierre Buyoya, as well their support team, for their tireless efforts in facilitating the negotiations between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan on their post-secession relations, and in supporting the achievement of lasting peace, security and stability in both states;

3. Notes the progress that has been made in the negotiations on certain outstanding matters relating to the relations between the two independent states. At the same time, Council notes that key issues remain outstanding. In this respect, Council reiterates that the leadership of Sudan and South Sudan hold the primary responsibility for resolving all outstanding issues, and calls on them to do so swiftly, in line with the agreed overriding principle of mutual viability;

4. Stresses AU’s deep concern at the unilateral actions taken by both states in regard to the issue of oil and petroleum matters. In this regard, Council appeals to both sides to remain committed to the negotiations on economic matters, with a view to reaching a fair agreement. Council reiterates its pressing call to the two Parties to refrain from any act and/or statement which would be likely to further undermine trust and confidence between them;

5. Commends the Parties for the adoption, during the extraordinary meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM), held in Addis Ababa, on 10 February 2012, of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Non-Aggression and Cooperation. Council also welcomes the decisions taken immediately to activate the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mission (JBVMM) and calls on the two states, working closely with the Force