Africa: AU Expresses Concern At Escalating Armed Conflict On Sudan, South Sudan Border Hot

Addis Ababa — The African Union expressed grave concern at the escalating armed conflict on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, AU said.

A press statement AU posted on its website on Wednesday said the AU noted with alarm the occupation of Heglig by the armed forces of South Sudan.

The African Union called for their immediate and unconditional withdrawal.

The AU called upon each party to withdraw any armed forces that may be in the territory of the other State to its own territory with immediate effect.

It also called on both parties to cease aerial bombardment and the harboring and supporting of rebel forces and movements from the other State.

AU called upon both parties to exercise utmost restraint and to respect the territorial integrity of the other.

It called on both parties to respect the provisions contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Non-Aggression and Cooperation signed between Sudan and South Sudan on 10 February, 2012.

According to the MoU, both parties have to respect the territorial integrity of the other State and prohibited either State from supporting opposition armed groups and movements within the other State.

AU also affirmed that, consonant with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the border between the two countries shall be the boundary of 1 January 1956, taking into account the agreed disputed areas.

The African Union called upon both parties to implement without delay the tasks detailed in the 18 September 2011 decision of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism, which establishes the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mission (JBVMM).