Uganda, South Sudan sign bilateral agreement to boost ties
Feb 9, 2007 (KAMPALA) — The Ugandan and southern Sudanese governments signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement here on Friday to boost the already close political and economic ties.
A communiqu?? issued after the signing said the Agreement on Technical, Economic, Political Social and Cultural Cooperation followed a directive by President of southern Sudan Salva Kiir and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
The agreement signed by Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa and southern Sudan’s Minister of Regional Affairs Barnaba Marial Benjamin covered many areas of mutual interest.
Kutesa said the agreement will go a long way in boosting the increasing trade between Uganda and southern Sudan.
“Uganda and southern Sudan share the desire and support for regional stability which we hope to reap benefits of interstate infrastructure development that paves way for trade and economic development,” he said.
The agreement described by Benjamin as strategic and crucial to the development of the two communities provided a framework for cooperation in various fields which included infrastructure development, trade, education, health, justice, defense and security.
The two parties have agreed on creating a Joint Commission of Cooperation which will hold its first session in Juba, southern Sudan.
Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Sudanese government and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army ending the over two decade year long conflict, many Ugandan businessmen have rushed into southern Sudan for business opportunities.
However the trade has been hampered by rampant ambushes on convoys in southern Sudan. Early last month unidentified gunmen ambushed a convoy of vehicles from Uganda not far from Juba, injuring 10 Ugandans and setting ablaze two vehicles.
(Xinhua)