South and North Sudanese delegations discuss arrangements to open border
April 1, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Delegations from Sudan and south Sudan started meetings in Khartoum to operationalise crossing points on the joint border between the two countries.
The two countries agreed in November 2012 to open 10 crossing points along the 2200km border despite the that fact they are still discussing the fate of some disputed areas between the two countries.
The two delegations meet as the two countries completed the withdrawal of troops from the claimed areas and finalised the activation of the demilitarised zone.
The meetings which took place at the premises of General Administration of Customs in Khartoum discuss the arrangements and measures to be taken by the two sides to organise and facilitate the movement of persons and goods between the two sides.
The two delegations are composed mainly of police and customs officers, Sudan Tribune learnt.
On the other hand, South Sudan’s Interior minister, Alison Magaya arrived to Khartoum where he will meet his for Sudanese counterpart, Ibrahim Mahmoud.
The two leaders, an official from South Sudan’s Interior ministry said, will discuss the issue of the north-south borders, which has remained closed since South Sudan seceded from its northern neighbour in July, 2011 as part of the 2005 peace deal.
Sudan and South Sudan, in September last year, signed a Cooperation Agreement, which covered oil and citizenship rights as well as security issues, among others. Since then, however, implementation of the deal has stalled over Khartoum’s insistence that Juba sever all ties with Sudanese rebel groups – an allegation South Sudan denies.
Sudan in the past months blocked trade routes with the South. A move that prevented Sudanese traders who used to export their merchandises to the South Sudanese neighbouring states.
Earlier this year, a South Sudanese delegation visited Kosti, capital of the White Nile state to explore a number of sites to establish a new consulate there.
Sudanese river port town is seen vital for trade between the two countries before secession people and goods crossed on daily basis to neighbouring states and boats arrived to Juba.
(ST)