Addis Ababa, 29 April 2013: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, strongly condemns the armed attacks recently carried out in Um-Rawaba town in North Kordofan State, as well as in various areas in South Kordofan State. The attacks, reportedly launched by the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), have resulted in death, serious casualties and destruction of property, including a power grid for the town.

These unfortunate incidents constitute a setback, as they have taken place immediately after the commencement of direct talks between Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), held in Addis Ababa, from 23 to 26 April 2013.   

 The Chairperson of the Commission appeals to the parties to the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and allow the political leadership to work through direct talks to reach a comprehensive resolution to the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.

 The Chairperson of the Commission emphasises the urgent need for the Government of Sudan and SPLM-N to continue and remain committed to their direct talks under the facilitation of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and the Chairperson of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the interest of peace, security and for the well-being of the Sudanese people.

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