Seven political parties, who are not part of the government, have appealed to the governments of South Sudan and Sudan to immediately resume negotiations in Addis Ababa to resolve all outstanding issues.

The South Sudanese opposition parties also criticized Sudanese President Omar Bashir for threatening to shut down the oil pipeline without looking into the impact on both nations.

“We urge both Sudan and South Sudan to return to the negotiating table and resolve all the disputes peacefully under the auspices of the African Union and the UN Security Council,” the representative of the 7 political parties, Professor Philip Yona, told the media today.

The two countries have accused each other of harboring rebel groups, an allegation seen by analysts as slowing down post secession arrangements.

“Although we do not have the evidence, we urge that neither Khartoum nor Juba to support rebels against each other as they both claim.”

He also called upon the government of South Sudan to takes its responsibility to maintain the general security situation in the country.

Professor Yona also added that the opposition parties are urging the government of South Sudan to include other political parties in the negotiation process.