The government says it has no objection to the Sudanese President facilitating the peace process.

The IGAD issued a statement over the weekend, requesting President Omar Bashir to help in the process to end the conflict.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Barnaba Mariel told Eye Radio that the move will improve bilateral relations.

“I think Omar Bashir can do that, we have no objection because it will solve a lot of problems bilaterally,” Dr Marial said.

“I think IGAD is talking to him because IGAD knows that the rebels are based in Khartoum. So if he takes the advice of IGAD, I think Omar Bashir can pursue the rebels to stop what they are doing, and to come back to negotiate peace.”

Meanwhile, SUNA, a Sudanese news agency says the Sudanese foreign ministry Spokesperson; Ali al-Sadiq said his country would make efforts to prevent further deterioration of the security situation in South Sudan.

However, the Sudd Institute says President Bashir is not qualified to facilitate the efforts to end the crisis because he is not neutral in the conflict.

South Sudan accuses Khartoum of harboring SPLM-in Opposition forces, an allegation it denied.

“To ask Khartoum to meditate the conflict internally – for a country that it considered its number one enemy – is something that we really don’t understand,” said Abraham Awolic, Policy Analyst at the Sudd Institute.

“However, he’ll be able to facilitate the resolution of the conflict provided that they begin to be independent and chase the rebels away from their territory and improve the border relations with South and trade, then you be begin to say: ‘Okay, maybe there is a change and change of heart from Khartoum and they could play a positive role in resolving the conflict’. But as it is right now, it is a nonstarter.”

(Additional information by Ayuen Panchol)