Sudan, South Sudan to resume peace talks

KHARTOUM, Sudan, May 24 (UPI) -- Delegations from Sudan and South Sudan expect to resume peace talks May 29 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sudanese officials said Thursday.

Amid tensions over sovereignty both Sudan and South Sudan agreed to solve all matters diplomatically, the Sudan Tribune reported.

Lead mediator for the African Union Thabo Mbeki said at a news conference in Khartoum Wednesday both parties agreed to resume discussions Tuesday.

The Sudan Tribune said sources close to the negotiations announced delegations headed by defense and interior ministers from the two countries would meet at the level of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism in Addis Ababa May 29. The meeting is to focus on the implementation of existing security agreements.

On April 24, the African Union Peace and Security Council deplored the failure of the two countries to enforce a number of deals they signed on the administration and security of oil-rich Abyei province and the monitoring of borders.