Sudan and South Sudan agree on enhancing bilateral relations
January 26, 2025(JUBA) – South Sudan’s Acting Foreign Affairs minister, Monday Sumaya Kumba and the Sudanese ambassador to Juba, Issam Mohammed Karrar on Thursday held a meeting seeking to foster mutual understanding and address concerns between the two nations.
The meeting held in Juba also reinforced the commitment of the two Foreign Affairs ministries in constructive dialogue aimed at navigating challenges and enhancing bilateral relations.
South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs ministry, in a statement displayed on its website, said the meeting addressed several critical matters, including the voluntary return process for South Sudanese and Sudanese citizens, recent developments concerning the investigation into the Wad Madani incident as well as provision of consular services to South Sudanese nationals living in Sudan.
Kumba, however, expressed concerns about the progress of the investigation into the brutal killing of South Sudanese nationals in Wad Madani as well the status of the outcome of the final results as promised by the Sudanese government.
He also resubmitted a request or permission for the South Sudanese embassy in Port Sudan to visit South Sudanese in Sudan, including in Wad Madani, to provide essential consular services.
“The Acting Minister expressed concern and dissatisfaction with the last statement issued by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated 23 January 2025 and promised that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Juba will respond to the statement and the unjustified allegations in a responsible and timely manner,” partly reads the ministry’s statement.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese envoy to Juba thanked the Government of South Sudan for protecting Sudanese nationals and ensuring their safety during recent protests over the incidents that occurred in Wad Madani when the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) took control of Al Jazira state.
He acknowledged the long standing cordial relationship between the two nations and reiterated the full commitment to fostering ties that will enhance the bilateral cooperation between both counties.
Ambassador Karrar also welcomed the approval of the voluntary return process and confirmed his readiness to work alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other institutions in Juba to facilitate the implementation process.
He vowed to update the ministry once preliminary reports into the investigation are completed.
The sisterly nations reaffirmed their dedication and commitment to maintaining open lines of communication for the purposes of collective cooperation and collaboration in various areas, citing the implementation of the voluntary return processes, timely reporting on the outcomes of the investigation into the Wad Madani incident and addressing issues of mutual concern between the two nations
(ST)