Sudan, Ethiopia agree to strengthen military cooperation
June 13, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — Sudan and Ethiopia signed yesterday a military protocol for a period of three years dealing with the development of the armed forces and ways to secure the common border between the two countries,
The agreement was signed by the two defense ministers of the Sudan and Ethiopia Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein and Siraj Fegessa.
Following the signing of the deal, Defense Minister Hussein said the two sides agreed to work together during three years in the areas of security covering the most important aspects of interest to the armed forces in the two countries.
The agreement also deals with the training, and security of the joint border as well as the industrialization.
Sudan and Ethiopia began a series of joint projects to consolidate joint economic, diplomatic relations.
The Ethio-Sudan High Level Joint Commission, Trade and Economic Committee Meeting concluded a two day meeting in the Ethiopian capital on Saturday.
Held on 12 and 13 June, 2009 the meeting discussed on various issues of mutual interest including trade, investment and infrastructure.
Trade and Industry Minister, Girma Birru told the official ENA
that the meeting had fruitful deliberations on investment and trade promotion, infrastructure development and trade cooperation between the peoples living along the border of the two countries.
The minister said activities in the areas of politics, defense and security, economic and finance, infrastructure and social affairs of the two neighborly countries were carried out through sub committees.
The defense minister stressed that this is a very important step to strengthen the relationship with “our brothers in Ethiopia,” stressing the continuation of the partnership between the two countries.
Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi co-chaired last April Ethiopia-Sudan Second High-Level Joint Commission Meeting where the two countries signed a series of accords on joint economic and cultural cooperation.
(ST)
Jabeessa
Sudan, Ethiopia agree to strengthen military cooperation
Any agreement between Ethiopia and Sudan during this time would mean, Sudan is in a desperate situation. Southern Sudan is due to hold a referenium on 2011. It is clear that, Kartoum is going to leave South sudan to SPLM. What is more is that, it is equally vivid that it (Kartoum) is going to lose Abyei the oil rich region to SPLM again.
These facts are indeed deprerating for sudan. Moreover, the current cooperation of Ethiopia with South Sudan have contributed much towards its desperation.
Agreement… agreement of fear that Ethiopia may back the separatoin of South Sudan from Kartoum. I think no series of agreements would fix the separation forever.