S/Sudanese team due in Khartoum Thursday to prepare for Bashir-Kiir summit

Khartoum, Sudan ( PANA) - A delegation from South Sudan is due in Khartoum, Sudan, on Thursday to help in preparations for a summit between President Omar El-Bashir of Sudan and his South Sudanese counterpart, Salva Kiir -- the second such summit since the south seceded late last year.

Pagan Amum, a member of the politburo of the ruling SPLA/SPLM in Juba, will lead the South Sudanese government delegation to the talks that are aimed at resolving issues evolving during the post-secession period.

According to the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA), Amum will discuss with Khartoum government officials preparations for the summit between El-Bashir and Kiir, set to take place in Juba, capital of South Sudan, on 3 April.

The South Sudanese delegation will include the ministers of Cabinet Affairs, Justice, Petroleum, Humanitarian Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs and the State Minister for Cabinet Affairs.

The two sides have recently signed an agreement that allows citizens from each country freedom of movement, possession and residence but that framework has to be ratified by the presidents of the two states.

The two presidents are also to discuss petroleum issues, which previous delegations failed to settle in three rounds of meetings in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 20March2012