Khartoum calling: what next for Sudan?
IN LONDON
Dr Sara Pantuliano - Head of Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI
William Bain MP - Chair of the Associate Parliamentary Group on Sudan and South Sudan (APG)
London chair:
Jonathan Steele - Guardian columnist and foreign correspondent
IN KHARTOUM
Dr Tijani Al-Sisi - Chairman of the Darfur Regional Authority and former Governor of Darfur
Sayed al-Khatieb - Director of the Strategic Studies Centre and member of the negotiating team in Addis Ababa
Dr Mutrif Siddiq - Former Undersecretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former Humanitarian Affairs Minister and nominated Ambassador to Juba
Khartoum chair:
Ismael Kushkush - CNN and New York Times correspondent
Description
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has issued an appeal to the two governments to withdraw armed forces from Abyei, but clashes have since erupted in the disputed oil-rich area of Heglig. Sudan has vowed to reclaim the area from South Sudan and suspended negotiations on outstanding post-independence issues, whilst South Sudan brought oil production in the area to a halt, deepening the effects of the oil shut down announced in January 2012.
The lack of peace between the two countries has placed further strain on South Sudanese citizens living in Sudan whose status has become irregular on 9th April, with many remaining stranded in Khartoum and other areas of Sudan.
With the presidential summit in Juba postponed indefinitely, concerns of a return to a full-fledged conflict remain. Violence continues in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, with limited humanitarian access to those displaced by the conflict.
Following the Juba calling event held in March 2012, this event is jointly organised by HPG/ODI, the Associate Parliamentary Group on Sudan and South Sudan (APG), and the Sudan Embassy in London and brings together panels in London and Khartoum to discuss looming humanitarian and political challenges facing Sudan and its neighbour in the south.