Khartoum, Sudan - Sudan has praised the African Union (AU) and former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who helped Khartoum and Juba to reach an agreement on post-secession question, including an implementation matrix.
In a statement received by PANA here Friday, Sudan also urged the international community to redeem pledges made earlier to assist Khartoum if it achieves peace with South Sudan.
'The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while welcoming the great progress that has been achieved towards the completion of the peace requirements, expresses its high appreciation for the role played by the African Union and its High Level Implementation Panel, and for all parties of the International community that have been playing an effective role in the peace process between the Republic of the Sudan and Republic of South Sudan,' the statement said.
The two sides signed an implementation matrix on Tuesday for the Nine Cooperation Agreements that were signed last year.
The statement stressed the 'commitment and the keenness of the Government of the Republic of the Sudan to implement the matrix, in accordance with the provisions and timelines set therein and in pursuit of the principles of good intentions, constructive cooperation and good neighourliness.'
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the hope that the international community would remove the hurdles that hinder its progress, particularly lifting of the 'unjust sanctions' imposed on the Sudan, writing off the country's debts and providing all possible economic assistance to enable the country overcome the damages and suffering sustained during the previous decades, it stressed.
The agreements as well as the implementation matrix were concluded with the facilitation of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan and South Sudan(AUHIP), comprising former President Mbeki as Chair along with former Presidents Pierre Buyoya of Burundi and Abdulsalami Abubakar of Nigeria.
Pana 15/03/2013