Dr Francis Mading Deng, the newly appointed South Sudanese Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Juba. [Gurtong| Waakhe Simon Wudu]
By Waakhe Simon Wudu
JUBA, 01 September 2012 [Gurtong] - Dr Francis Mading Deng, the newly appointed South Sudanese Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former South Sudan Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide said dwelling on pessimism by the two countries sabotages an effort that could make the talks successful.
“Optimism is positive incentive for action. Pessimism leads to a dead end. So without being too blind optimistic, we have to be optimistic that solutions will be found,” he said.
He said no matter how much the two countries take long and anticipates on pessimism over the success of the talks, close relations between Sudan and South Sudan is paramount and must needed for peace stability and prosperity.
“Even when South Sudan is independent, the link with the North will continue,” Deng said, adding the two have a lot in common; politically, socially and economically and therefore, should focus on how to bring their relations close to one another.
Juba and Khartoum are set to resume talks next week after postponement as a result of the death of the former Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
The duo is expected to cement a comprehensive deal on all the outstanding issues including oil and Abyei despite pre-conditional attachment from both sides on the success of deal that appears likely to derail the agreement again.
Tensions between the two countries have remained obstacles to the prosperity of their economies as the two neither have road nor air transport that boost business between them.
Sudan had before blocked her route linking to South Sudan since May last year, stopping also supply of goods to South Sudan.