Mbeki, Kiir discuss North-South relations

Former South African president talks about security issues and border disputesThabo Mbeki, former South African president and chairperson of African Mediation Committee, met South Sudanese president Salva Kiir in Juba on Thursday to discuss mediation efforts between the North and the South.Mbeki said in a press conference following the meeting that his talks with Kiir revolved around the newly independent South Sudan’s security concerns and border disputes with Khartoum. Abyei, an oil-rich state along the North-South border, also featured on their topics of discussion.Mbeki suggested that the North and South resume negotiations in Addis Ababa after the Eid al-Adha holidays.He also made proposals to Salva Kiir regarding solutions for the oil disputes between and Khartoum. Reports in South Sudan suggested that the government will revert to Mbeki with acceptance or rejection of his proposals.