Alarmed at Escalation of Fighting, Secretary-General Calls on Sudan, South Sudan

 

to Immediately Cease Hostilities, Respect Each Other’s Territorial Integrity

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is alarmed at the escalation of fighting between Sudan and South Sudan.  He calls on both parties immediately to cease hostilities, remove their forces from each other’s territory and avoid further bloodshed.  He underlines the necessity that both Governments respect the territorial integrity of the other and ensure their own territories are not used to provide support for rebel groups.

The Secretary-General urges President Omer al-Bashir and President Salva Kiir to meet as soon as possible to defuse tensions and resolve all issues through peaceful dialogue.

The Secretary-General assures the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan that the United Nations stands ready to extend all possible assistance to the leadership of both sides to maintain peace and stability in Sudan and South Sudan.

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For information media • not an official record