Security Council Statement on Sudan/ South Sudan

The following Security Council press statement was issued on Tuesday March 27, 2012. The Council called upon the Sudan and South Sudan to "exercise maximum restraint and sustain purposeful dialogue". 

“The members of the Security Council are deeply alarmed by the military clashes in the region bordering Sudan and South Sudan, which threaten to precipitate a resumption of conflict between the two countries, worsen the humanitarian situation, and lead to further civilian casualties.

The members of the Security Council call upon the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to exercise maximum restraint and sustain purposeful dialogue in order to address peacefully the issues that are fueling the mistrust between the two countries, including oil issues, violence in the border region, citizenship, and Abyei.  The members of the Security Council call upon Sudan and South Sudan to respect the letter and spirit of their February 10 Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Aggression and Cooperation.  They urge both countries to utilize the upcoming session of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism to defuse tensions along the border and take appropriate steps to operationalize the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism. 

The members of the Security Council recall the statement of the Council president of March 6, 2012, and reiterate their grave concern about reports of repeated incidents of cross-border violence between Sudan and South Sudan, including troop movements, support to proxy forces and aerial bombardments.  They demand that all parties cease military operations in the border areas and put an end to the cycle of violence, and that the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan take no action that would undermine the security and stability of the other, including through any direct or indirect form of support to armed groups in the other’s territory.  The members of the Security Council condemn actions by any armed group aimed at the forced overthrow of the government of either Sudan or South Sudan.  The members of the Security Council affirm their strong commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Sudan and South Sudan. 

The members of the Security Council reiterate the grave urgency of delivering humanitarian aid, in accordance with international law, including applicable international humanitarian law, and guiding principles of emergency humanitarian assistance, in order to avert a worsening of the serious crisis in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States, Sudan. 

The members of the Security Council urge Sudan and South Sudan to continue working within the context of the negotiations carried out under the auspices of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), and encourage continued partnership with the United Nations and other key international stakeholders in this regard.” 

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