Panafrican News Agency

Sudan calls on Ethiopians to go for peaceful settlement of differences

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Sudan on Sunday urged belligerent Ethiopian sides to fully observe a ceasefire, sit around the negotiation table, and ensure humanitarian aid access to all those in need.

The Sudan, which currently has several issues for settlement with Ethiopia, including the differences over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the border disputes and the influx of Ethiopian refugees to eastern Sudan, said it has convened a high-level meeting on 3 July, 2021.

The meeting will feature the President and the Deputy of the Transitional Sovereign Council, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the spill-over of development in neighboring Ethiopia into the Sudan and what position the country could adopt.

A statement after reviewing the recent developments in neighboring Ethiopia, the meeting stated that the  Sudan has deep-rooted historical neighborly relations with Ethiopia as well as strategic interests, “therefore, the Government of Sudan is deeply concerned by the recent developments, which have the potential of negatively affecting the regional stability, particularly that of neighboring countries.”

The statement also stressed that while the future of Ethiopia rests in the hands of Ethiopian people, however, “in light of these exceptional strategic relations, the Government of Sudan will spare no efforts with all Ethiopian parties to reach reconciliation, one which will cement unity and usher the vision decided by the Ethiopian people.”

It said in this respect, the Government of Sudan is committed to work closely with all neighboring countries and the international community towards achieving this end.

It related that since the eruption of the conflict, Sudan has continued to provide support for the provision of humanitarian aid to the affected population, stressing that the Sudanese Government affirms its commitment to continue providing all necessary humanitarian support.

“Sudan calls upon all parties to cease fire, sit around the negotiation table, and ensure humanitarian aid access to all those in need," the statement said.

-0- PANA MO/VAO 4July2021