The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan welcomes the beginning of direct talks between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement -North (SPLM-N).<\/p>\n
The talks, taking place in Addis Ababa under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP), are focusing on humanitarian, political and security issues.<\/p>\n
“We are encouraged by the commitment expressed by both parties to address urgent humanitarian needs,\u201d said Mr. Ali Al Zatari.<\/p>\n
According to the UN agency, more than a million people have been affected by the conflict that has been raging in South Kordofan and Blue Nile for almost two years.<\/p>\n
“We cannot lose any more time. I urge the parties to continue the positive spirit and to spare no efforts to put an end to the suffering of civilians that has gone on for far too long.”<\/p>\n
Zatari said that food and relief supplies must be delivered \u201cquickly\u201d before the rainy season begins and roads become impassable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UN and its humanitarian partners remain ready to provide immediate relief once access opens up\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
The talks that began on Tuesday in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa follow the signing of the Implementation Matrix on 12 March and direct contacts at the highest level between Sudan and South Sudan.<\/p>\n
SPLM-N recently released a statement expressing its readiness to start negotiations. It expects, however, that the government of Sudan will release more than 600 political detainees and that the following issues are resolved:<\/p>\n
1) The humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n
2) To agree on a national framework as came in the agreement of June 28, 2011 to provide for an inclusive constitutional process to address the historical question, how Sudan is going to be governed, with the participation of all stakeholders, political parties and civil society organizations in a national constitutional conference.<\/p>\n
3) To resolve and address the new political and security arrangement in South Kordofan\/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States.<\/p>\n
Related<\/em>: Press release: SPLM-N expectations from Khartoum in talks<\/a> (24 April 2013)<\/p>\n