New York

21 September 2012

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Sudan and South Sudan

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the significant narrowing of differences between the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan on a range of outstanding issues and strongly urges them to conclude a comprehensive deal during the Presidential summit in Addis Ababa on 23 September.
The Secretary-General congratulates the negotiating teams of the two parties for what they have achieved so far. He urges both Presidents to now take responsibility for the resolution of their remaining differences, so that their summit concludes with a success that marks an end to the era of conflict and ushers in a new era of peace, cooperation and mutual development for the two countries and their people.
The Secretary General commends the continued able leadership of the African Union High Implementation Panel in facilitating and mediating the talks between the two parties, and thanks his Special Envoy for his support to that effort.