South Sudan and Ethiopia agree on joint development projects

By James Gatdet Dak

July 6, 2008 (JUBA) – The semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan has reached a number of bilateral cooperation agreements with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and to jointly implement development projects in their respective adjacent states and regions.

In his briefing to the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, Dr. Barnaba Marial, Minister of Regional Cooperation in Southern Sudan, said the two sisterly governments have agreed to cooperate on a wide range of joint projects on social, economic, capacity building and security issues.

On social issues, Dr. Marial noted with appreciation that Southern Sudan and Ethiopia have strong cultural and tribal links, especially between some of their neighbouring states and added that these relations should be utilized and cemented to promote peaceful neighbourhood between these related tribes on both sides of the border.

He explained to the Council that Gambella Region in Ethiopia is predominantly inhabited by Eastern Jikany Nuer and Anyuak tribes as the majority communities and who also constitute the political leadership of that region.

He further explained that these Ethiopian Nuer and Anyuak tribes of Gambella region also share the border with the same Sudanese Nuer and Anyuak tribes of Upper Nile and Jonglei states.

Dr. Marial led a 15-person delegation of the Government of Southern Sudan to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, in June which included Lt. Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, representing Jonglei state, Maj. Gen. Gatluak Deng, representing Upper Nile state, Honourable Paul Napwon Yonai, representing Eastern Equatoria state, Mr. Arop Deng, GoSS Head of Mission in Ethiopia, Mr. Stephen Ogut, Security Advisor and Mr. Dobuol Wuol, Director for Bilateral Relations, among others.

On the Ethiopian side he said their 16-person delegation was led by Mr. Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, which also included Mr. James Deng Chuol, representing Gambella Region, Mr. Shifraw Shigute, representing Southern Nations and Nationalities Region, Dr. Tekeda Alemu, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Koang Tut, Deputy Chief Advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Chan Gatkuoth Yoam, Security and Intelligent Advisor, among others.

ROADS AND TRANSPORT SECTOR

On roads and transport sector, Dr. Marial said the two parties agreed to promote road, river and air transport between their neighbouring states.
The two parties have agreed to construct a network of roads connecting the three Southern Sudan states of Upper Nile, Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria with the adjacent Ethiopian Regional States of Gambella, Southern Nations and Nationalities, and Beni Shangul Gumez.

The Regional Cooperation Minister pointed out that the Government of Southern Sudan and its signing States shall have the responsibility of constructing and completing the roads segments that connect to the existing and ongoing Ethiopian road projects that meet at the border.

These will include Pagak-Maiwut-Longechuk-Malakal Road and Longechuk-Dajo Road in Upper Nile state, while the Ethiopian authority will upgrade the construction of Gambella-Jekow Road.

In Jonglei state, it is agreed that the Ethiopian government begins the construction of Gambella-Nyininyang-Akobo Road, while in Eastern Equatoria state both Governments will begin construction of Mizan-Dima-Buma-Narus-Juba Road.

The parties also agreed to reinforce the River Transport and introduce regulatory arrangements for safety issues, customs and elicit trafficking and that modern Steam-boats shall be the vessels of transport from Malakal-Jekow-Gambella and Gambella-Akobo-Pibor Post.

They have also agreed in principle to add Malakal to the current Ethiopian Airlines route of Addis Ababa-Juba after conducting further consultations on the issue in the near future.

TRADE, INVESTMENT AND CUSTOMS

The Ethiopian government agreed to allocate 50% of its cement production for export to Southern Sudan. Minister Marial said this will significantly drop cement prices in the region.

He said the Ethiopian government has also agreed to supply Upper Nile and Jonglei states with electricity to be connected from Gambella using transmission lines up to Malakal and Bor towns, respectively.

Dr. Marial added that this may also extend up to Juba from Bor town.

He commended the Ethiopian government for this decision, adding that this was necessary until Southern Sudan constructs its own dams to produce its own electricity.

The Agreement also encourages Ethiopian private sector to invest in Southern Sudan through joint ventures. It also cited the need to organize exchange of business delegation visits and encourage the participation of business people in trade fairs to be organized at both ends.
Ethiopia has also agreed to transfer technology to Southern Sudan and provide expertise.

On customs, the agreement calls for reinforcement and installment of border security and customs points in Pagak, Jekow (River Transport), Akobo and Naita corresponding with adjacent towns on the Ethiopian side and to build the capacity of custom officers at the border.

The parties agreed that the Governors of the adjacent states form Joint Border Development Committees to meet every three month to put modalities for follow up and the implementation of the agreement.

They also agreed to establish technical committees to evaluate and monitor the agreements.

Dr. Marial said it is of strategic importance to promote bilateral ties with Ethiopia that has a population of more than 80 million people.

(ST)