The African Union backed talks between Sudan and South Sudan was about to begin this week, but signs are that one party in the conflict (Khartoum), is still dragging its feet, whether to attend the much publicized talks with the Republic of the South Sudan or stay out altogether. They have started to blow hot and cold at the same time. This is how: they have introduced another element called security, an indicator that the issues of boundary demarcation and Abyei are to wait until the question of security for Sudan is addressed.