South Sudan closes border with DR Congo over Ebola fears

September 28, 2007 (KINSHASA) — The border between South Sudan and Aru territory in northeastern of DR Congo 260 km north of Bunia has been closed since Tuesday 25 September, said the UN-sponsored Radio Okapi.

According to the chief of Kakwa collectively, the decision was taken by the South Sudan authorities who fear the spread of Ebola epidemics affecting DRCongo’s Kasai Provinces.

He said elements of the southern Sudan army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) were deployed since three days along the border to prevent movement by people from both sides.

The president of the Congo companies’ federation in Kakwa told the radio that border closure would penalize the traders in the area. He indicated that businessmen have no other market to sell goods which they bought to run out in Sudan.

He urged the Congolese authorities to inform southern Sudan government that Ebola epidemics affect regions distant from Kakwa.

(ST)