Brussels, 02/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU condemns the attacks against civilians in Northern Kordofan, Sudan, and the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N forces in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, just a few days after direct talks resumed between the two parties, in Addis Ababa on 30 April. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton therefore called, on 2 May, for direct talks to be immediately resumed under the auspices of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).
High Representative Ashton “urges both parties to commit to resume negotiations in good faith in order to agree on an immediate ceasefire, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and on a comprehensive solution to the conflict in Sothern Kordofan and Blue Nile with a view to an inclusive national dialogue”, states a press release published by Ashton's spokesman on Thursday.
The spokesman underlines the progress represented by the fact that direct talks have begun - the first since June 2011 - between the government of Sudan and the SPLM-N to seek to put an end to the conflict between the two states, and points out that both parties had agreed to meet again in May. That, Ashton said, is “encouraging”. (AN/transl.jl)