The mini summit, which is being organized by African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to assess the conflict between North and South Sudan, will be attended by Sudanese president Al basher and First Vice President Salva Kiir.
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki will preside over the meeting along with Presidents Abdusalami Abubakar and Pierre Buyoya. IGAD Chairperson, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia , will also be in attendance.
The Summit will focus on key issues facing Sudan just four weeks ahead of the south’s independence.
High on the agenda, according to the commission, is the issue of Abyei, including the withdrawal of armed forces from the conflict area, the deployment of an African led international mission to provide security, the creation of conditions for the speedy return of displaced people, the protection of civilians, as well as steps towards a final settlement of the region’s status.
Other items on the agenda for the Summit include the speedy establishment of mechanisms for joint security management between north and south Sudan, and the forthcoming round of negotiations on post secession economic arrangements.
During the summit, the panel is expected to convene a High Level Meeting of representatives of the Government of Sudan and leaders of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) from the “two areas” of the Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan.
“This High Level Meeting will focus on the political and security challenges of the two areas, including the immediate challenge of an end to the armed conflict that has recently erupted in Southern Kordofan State,” said the AU.
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