KHARTOUM – Sudanese government on Friday in Khartoum reiterated its neutrality in the current crisis between the government of South Sudan and the rebels led by former Vice President Riek Machar.
Dr Al-Muez Farouq, the Sudanese Rapporteur in the Joint Security-Political Mechanism of the two countries, said Khartoum’s position remained that of neutrality.
He said the latest visit by President Omar Al-Bashir to Juba in January showed that Sudan supported the legitimacy of the elected government in that country and does not support any side in the conflict.
Farouq said his country had previously turned down an appeal by some unnamed “Western powers” for direct intervention in ending the conflicting.
He insisted that such an effort should be made by the regional Inter-governmental Authority for Development (IGAD).
He dismissed the notion that the visit by a delegation of the rebel faction of Machar was a violation of the cooperation agreement between Khartoum and Juba.
Farouq said the visit was arranged by the IGAD mediator. (PANA/NAN)
