Sudan president, Bashir (R) and  South Sudan president, Salva Kiir (L) A delegation from the state of South Sudan in talks with Sudan, announced its suspension of direct negotiations with its northern neighbour over Sudan's shelling of areas located in the Bhraghazal border area . The southern delegation informed African Union mediators about their decision, while the Sudanese government has yet to give its official response. Meanwhile the United Nations mission working in Darfur has renewed its commitment to support the peace process in the region.
Spokesman for the Sudanese government's delegation, Ambassador Omar Dahab, said that the Southern government has decided to suspend direct negotiations which began a few days ago in the Ethiopian town of  Bahir Dar.
Analysts believe this move will destroy the optimism which followed the meeting between President Bashir and Salva Kiir in recent days, where they discussed pushing the negotiations towards a speedy conclusion regarding the issues which have prevailed between both countries since the separation of the south from the north last year. The African Union mediators are preparing to hold another meeting between the two countries before the end of the current month.
The African Union has shrouded the current round of negotiations in secrecy by preventing the media from talking to the negotiators. In a recent development, and according to a southern source, Juba is expected to hold a press conference on Saturday at when the latest developments between Sudan and the South are to be discussed.
A cabinet meeting, led by Salva Kirr, on Friday reviewed  the results of the meeting between the President of South Sudan, Salva Kirr and President Bashir. The meeting praised the resumption of flights between Sudan and the South and the possibility of pumping oil from the south and exporting it through Sudanese land after months of inactivity,  but the meeting strongly condemned the raids  from Sudan to the new state’s land.
Sudan’s delegation is expected to issue a statement within the next hours commenting on the decision taken by the Southern delegation a few hours ago.
Meanwhile the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) renewed its firm and continuous commitment to support the efforts of the peace process, stability and prosperity in Darfur. UNAMID representative Professor Ibrahim Qmbari extended good wishes to the Sudanese government, the regional authority of Darfur and the region’s people at the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan and through the message sent from the presidency of UNAMID in Fasher, he stressed the need to reap the maximum benefits of the Holy month and put aside any differences, to work together for peace and stability.