Ethiopian PM vows to resolve Sudanese deadlock

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has vowed to defuse tensions between Sudan and South Sudan, in the wake of Khartoum's announcement of suspension of the cooperation agreement between the two countries. Desalegn, chairperson of the African Union (AU), said he is working closely with his colleague Thabo Mbeki to resolve the current crisis. The PM's was speaking after a lengthy meeting with Sudan's Foreign Minister Ali Karti, during which the Sudanese official briefed the Ethiopian Prime Minister on his country's decision to shut down the oil pipeline. Karti told Deaslegn that the decision was taken only after the Sudanese government exhausted all bilateral means to ensure South Sudan respects the concluded agreements. The Sudanese FM told reporters he was happy to discuss the matter with the Ethiopian prime minister because Sudan and Ethiopia enjoy a positive relationship. Karti explained that Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir wants to remain on good terms with South Sudan, having signed the comprehensive peace agreement in 2005 and accepted the results of the South Sudan referendum. Karti also held talks with the African Union Commission chairman Dlamini Zuma, and other African ambassadors. The Sudanese official also extended his stay in Addis Ababa by one day, to speak to senior politicians and government representatives. In Khartoum, the Sudanese foreign ministry organised a round table discussion on the matter with diplomats from Arab, African, Asian and Latin American regions. Government representative Rahmatollah Mohammed Othman outlined Sudan's reasons for pulling out of the cooperation agreements with Juba, emphasising that it was the last resort.