Sudanese ministry warns against SPLM-N threat

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry has warned the international community and African Union of the threat posed by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) to peace and security between Sudan and South Sudan. The moves comes after SPLM-N chief negotiator and Secretary-General Yasir Arman accused Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of refusing talks to settle the conflict in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, adding that it would "only result in more suffering of the civilian populations." The Sudanese Foreign Ministry has reacted by claiming that the rebel group seeks to spoil the recent implementation agreements signed with South Sudan. It has warned the international community against the "destructive behaviour" of the SPLM-N to achieve its interests at the expense of political stability between the two countries. The ministry has urged the African Union and the South Sudanese government to push forward with executing the agreements to minimise the negative impact of the SPLM-N. Meanwhile, US Acting Ambassador to Khartoum Joseph Stafford has urged the Sudanese government to hold talks with the militant group in a bid to end the conflict Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.  Sudanese government spokesperson Ragab al-Basha has told Arabstoday that the agreement between Sudan and South Sudan is likely to have a positive impact on South Kordofan, even though the threat from SPLM-N is not restricted to the two states. Al-Basha has urged the movement to end the violence and return to the negotiating table.