Sudanese President Omar Bashir has vowed to end the conflict in Darfur, Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states that border South Sudan in order to bring political stability in the region.

In his inaugural speech yesterday, Bashir promised to also strengthen bilateral relations with western countries.

“We are entering a new era where we must stop bloodshed, and renew our commitment to complete the peace process, and we are committed to it,” he told the gathering.

“Sudan is opening its heart to complete dialogue and strengthen relations with western countries until our relations return to normal, and we would like to benefit from recent positive development.”

The occasion was attended by South Sudan’s Vice President James Wani Igga, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Zimbabwe and chairman of the African Union, Robert Mugabe, and other heads of state.

Last week, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, which is mediating the South Sudan peace talks, invited President Omar Bashir to help mediate between the warring parties in the country. He is yet to comment.

In his speech, President Bashir did not make any reference to the conflict in South Sudan.

Currently, there is an ongoing armed conflict in the southern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile between the government and SPLM-N, a northern affiliate of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in South Sudan.

As of 2014, some 2 million people have been affected by the conflict, more than 500,000 have been displaced and about 250,000 refugees have fled to South Sudan and Ethiopia, according to the UN.