Abul Gheit: Egypt seeks prevention of violence between north and south Sudan

Abul Gheit: Egypt seeks to prevent Sudanese civil war
Source: www.almasryalyoum.com - Arabic Edition
Date: Sunday, 31 October 2010 - 12:05

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Abul Gheit on Saturday said Egypt seeks prevention of violence between north and south Sudan, as well as adherence to the south Sudan succession referendum, “whatever the result is, either separation or unity.”

In a joint press statement with his Sudanese counterpart Ali Karti, Abul Gheit said the referendum is indispensable in procuring widespread rights in Sudan. The foreign minister also emphasized the need to resolve outstanding issues.

“It’s important now to focus on the referendum procedures, so it will be held on time,” said Abul Gheit. “The referendum should be postponed, if the two parties are convinced that the public interest requires so.”

In response to whether Egypt is partial to separation or unity, Abul Gheit said, “Certainly there’s a chance for unity, but the right of self-determination became a clear concept among the north and south.”

Karti said there’s a growing need for the Sudanese to inform the Egyptian government of internal developments. He argued this will help to enable international and regional awareness.

“The Sudanese government is committed to holding the referendum on its scheduled time," said Karti. “The postponing issue is proposed by foreign parties that visited Sudan and then got to know complications that face holding the referendum on time."

In related news, Egyptian Minister of Irrigation Mohamed Nassr Eddin Allam is scheduled to visit the region on Monday to meet with south Sudan government spokesman, Paul Mayom, in order to discuss a number of projects initiated and funded by Egypt.

Translated from the Arabic Edition.

Sudanese president meets his Egyptian counterpart

Sudanese president meets his Egyptian counterpart
From Sudan Tribune, Wednesday 28 April 2010:

April 27, 2010 (CAIRO) – Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir returned to Khartoum after a brief visit to Egypt where he met President Hosni Mubarak who is convalescing after surgery in Germany last month.

The visit took place twenty four hours after the announcement of his re-election with 68% of vote by the National Elections Commission following five days of polling earlier this month.

President Mubarak congratulated Bahsir on his winning a new presidential term in the election.

The official news agency SUNA said Bashir and Mubarak held talks on bilateral relations and issue of common concern. He was accompanied by Bakri Hassan Saleh, minister at the presidency and Ali Karti, state minister of foreign affairs.

But the Egyptian MENA said the two leaders discussed Southern Sudan referendum and Darfur peace process. Mubarak told Al-Bashir that Egypt was anxious to see Sudan’s internal conflicts resolved, while maintaining the territorial integrity of the country.

Egypt expressed concern several times on the possible secession of southern Sudan after a referendum scheduled to be held next January. Cairo hosted last February talks between the two peace partners but failed to broker common grounds on the disputed issues. (ST)