Sudan will be open for South Sudanese once Juba stops supporting rebels: minister

May 10, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said Sudan would open its border to the South Sudanese once Juba government stops it support to the Sudanese rebel groups.

Ghandour made his remarks in response to a demand by the head of South Sudan’s Workers Trade Union, Simon Deng Paul to enforce the four freedoms protocol which is part of the Cooperation Agreement signed in September 2012.

“When Juba stops its support to the rebellion, the Sudan will be open to the South Sudanese,” said the Sudanese top diplomat.

He was speaking before the 16th session of the Sudan Workers Trade Unions federation held in Khartoum.

Earlier this year, President Omer al-Bashir had directed to open the border with the South Sudan saying his unilateral decision aims to support the citizens of new nations after the over two year conflict that devastated their country.

However on 29 March, Khartoum decided to shut down the border again, a week after renewing accusations against the government of Juba saying it resumed its support to the SPLM-N which fights the government in the Two-Areas.

In line with the peace agreement signed by the South Sudanese warring parties, the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) which was formed on 29 April, has to disarm the Sudanese rebels.

(ST)