A Sudanese soldier patrols in the town of Talodi in South Kordofan/AFP
BEIJING, Apr 13 – China on Thursday urged Sudan and South Sudan to exercise restraint, immediately end military actions and resume negotiations.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin made the remarks at a regular press briefing in Beijing when asked to comment on the recent conflicts between the two nations.
Concern has been growing over reports of clashes along the two countries’ shared border, with the UN Security Council recently warning that the fighting could reignite conflicts between the two nations.
The 15-member council on Wednesday stressed that the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), a force of South Sudan, must withdraw immediately, and Sudan must stop aerial bombardments and incursions into South Sudan.
“China is very concerned about the armed conflicts between Sudan and South Sudan along their shared border,” said Liu.
As neighbouring countries, Sudan and South Sudan should live in peace with each other, he said, noting that current tensions will deal a severe blow to the social stability and economic development of both nations as well as regional peace and security.
He called on the two sides to exercise maximum calmness and restraint, swiftly end military actions and resolve their disputes through negotiations.
China will make joint efforts with the international community to ease the situation, said Liu.
He also expressed hope that Sudan and South Sudan could honour their commitments of protecting the property and personnel safety of Chinese enterprises in the two countries.
Sudan and South Sudan have been at odds over how much the landlocked South Sudan should pay to export its oil through Sudan.
The Sudanese parliament decided on Wednesday to announce a general mobilization and stop negotiations with South Sudan following a large-scale attack by the South Sudanese army on a strategic region of Heglieg.
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