ADDIS ABABA: South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit praised on Friday the efforts of late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the current PM Hailemariam Desalegn for their efforts that have led to a successful agreement between South Sudan and Sudan on post-secession issues. President Mayardit and his Sudanese counterpart, President Omar al-Bashir, signed the cooperative protocol agreement on post-secession matters in Addis Ababa on Thursday after talks brokered by Ethiopia. They had been negotiating since last Sunday under the African Union (AU) High-level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AU-HIP) mediation over outstanding issues including security, post-secession issues and bilatweral co-operation among other matters. The talks were held in the presence of mediators, including former presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Pierre Bouyoya of Burundi, and Abdulsalam Abubakar of Nigeria. After signing the agreement here Thursday, President Salva Kiir lauded the outstanding effort played by the late Ethiopian prime minister, Meles Zenawi. He also commended Ethiopia's PM Dessalegn for his constructive engagement in the negotiation process. President Mayardit expressed gratitude for the efforts and commitment of AU-HIP on the historic agreement. He said his government was committed to implementing the AU Road Maps and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. According to him, the remaining issues would be resolved peacefully, including that of the Abyie region which lies on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, which became the world's newest nation in July last year following its secession from the Sudan. He said his country would strive to cooperate with Sudan and help maintain peace and security in the region. The president said the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) earlier was a bold step forward to curb the age-long conflict and contributed to the signing of the current agreement. Representing Ethiopia, the Government Communication Affairs Office Minister, Bereket Simon, said Ethiopia had been actively involved in the negotiation process in the dispute of the two Sudan. As Ethiopia is a close friend and ally of the two Sudans, it was consistently committed to ensure peace and security in the region, he said. The minister urged the two Sudans to implement the agreement and called upon the international community to redouble its efforts towards ensuring peace and stability in the region. President Al-Bashir said his country had recognised South Sudan as an independent State earlier which helped reach agreements on issues of differences. He expressed his condolence over the death of the late Meles Zenawi who had exerted tremendous efforts to reach the current satisfactory resolution. According to him, the current agreement will help prevail peace, exchange trade, free movement of people across the border, widen the spirit of neighborliness and good relation. The President underscored that his country will continue working collaboratively with South Sudan with a view to solving remaining issues including Abyie region. The AU Chief Mediator, Thabo Mbeki, said the agreement was a giant step forward for both countries to declare not to go to war again as a means to solve conflicts. He said the countries should be a source of peace and solidarity that could help enhance peace and stability in the region and be exemplary to the whole Africa.
