Editor, I read in The Sunday Times, yesterday, that the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State meeting on Saturday in the Tanzanian northern city of Arusha – the seat for the regional bloc – had urged Sudan and South Sudan to return to the negotiating table and resolve outstanding issues under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the two sides.Indeed, use of violence to end the differences between the Sudans will not bring stability to these two neighbours and the region at large.The EAC leaders are right. Sudan and South Sudan should dialogue and find a lasting solution to their differences instead of resorting to a full-scale war. Armed conflict is destructive and would only help worsen the woes of the people of both countries, who have suffered the brunt for violence as a result of decades long conflicts between the north and south, as well as other internal conflicts elsewhere.These conflicts have only shattered the economy and resulted in the loss of millions of lives and invaluable property. EAC’s position is encouraging, but the bloc should do more than just talking. It must do everything possible to bring the warring parties to the table; after all the CPA was largely brokered by EAC partner states, and signed in Kenya.Christine MutiguRemera
