River transport between Sudan, S. Sudan resumes after 11 years
May 30, 2022 (JUBA/KHARTOUM) – River transport between Sudan and South Sudan has resumed after more than a decade, raising hopes it will promote trade and facilitate communication between the two countries.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune on Monday, South Sudan’s presidential advisor on security affairs Tut Gatluak Manime said the re-opening of the transport represents the growth of strong cooperation between the leadership of the two countries for the benefit of the people between the two countries.
Manime was in the Sudanese town of Kosti on Saturday to witness the official reopening of the strategic river transport which was halted when Sudan and South Sudanese troops clashed in Heglig border area in 2012.
“1want to assure our people that relations between our people are remarkably improving because of the relations between our leaders who are working together in the interest of peace and stability. This important relationship is growing each day and now His Excellency President of the Republic Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit with Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereign Council has given out directives to reopen river transport between the two countries,” explained Manime.
He added, “I was at Kosti on Saturday to see for myself and the team the condition there and to inspection ships ready to transport goods, including petroleum products to South Sudan. This is an important step and I used the opportunity to appeal to all patriotic traders from the two countries to take advantage of river transport in the process of transporting goods”.
According to the presidential aide, resumption of the river movement of barges will boost trade and ease border crossing between the two nations.
“We visited the Free Zone in the White Nile and inspected the customs and clearance procedures. We will also transfer the activation of the railway line between the two countries,” he stressed.
The acting Governor of White Nile State, Omar Al-Khalifa Abdullah confirmed the transport re-opening, said it would enhance trade relations.
“This step facilitates movement between the two countries. We wish trade recovers between the two countries through this port and the Whit Nile. Citizens of both countries will benefit from this achievement,” he remarked.
The river transport of humanitarian goods between Sudan and South Sudan largely stopped when the border closed after South Sudan’s independence in 2011. At the time Sudan accused Juba of supporting the SPLM-N rebels.
(ST)