The negotiators will resume their talks in Addis Ababa next week on July 5.

During the last week, the Parties continued to meet in the Joint Political and Security Mechanism, and agreed to implement the immediate security provisions of the AU Peace and Security Roadmap. The two Parties have agreed to activate the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mission during the coming days including sending the monitors to the temporary mission headquarters in Assosa, Ethiopia.

AUHIP chairperson, former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, praised both countries for the positive attitude they demonstrated during the negotiations. He said: “The Parties have demonstrated great maturity and seriousness in their approach to the negotiations, mindful of the timeframes contained in the AU PSC Roadmap and UNSC Resolution 2046. This can only be good for the citizens of South Sudan and Sudan.”

The AUHIP Chairperson called on the rest of the Continent and the world to continue to support the two countries as they continue to engage each other to reach the goal of constructing two viable states that exist in peace and mutual co-operation.