“We are joining those voices sounding a warning call: the two-state solution is at risk of collapse.”

Returning from a recent Elders visit to the Middle East, Gro Harlem Brundtland argues that the upcoming Palestinian bid for non-member observer state status at the UN General Assembly is an opportunity to break the current stalemate – and an important step towards securing peace for the region.

“Our visit was very timely; just a few days ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting at which Sudan and South Sudan would be on the agenda.” 

Mary Robinson blogs about visiting Brussels a week after travelling to Ethiopia and South Sudan on an Elders delegation. Together with her fellow Elder Martti Ahtisaari, she discussed the situation in the region with EU officials – as well as raising the issue of international sanctions against Zimbabwe.

“While outsiders such as the AU and the UN can help, what is crucial is for the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan to talk directly and build mutual trust; the task cannot be left to anybody else”

Martti Ahtisaari argues that Sudan and South Sudan need to take immediate action towards building a collaborative relationship, and that the real dividends of the peace agreement for South Sudan will depend on investing in the long-term; by focusing on its infrastructure, constitution and economy – but most importantly its people.