Bashir still optimistic that Sudan, S.Sudan can ‘reunite’ in future
May 7, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir expressed hope that his country would one day re-unite with the South given the things they have in common.
The Sudanese president said that at the minimum he projects some form of confederation between the two countries, even if complete unity does not materialise.
He said that Sudan is seeking to re-establish cohesion between the two countries and will contribute to the development of South Sudan and will support education there for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
Bashir pointed out that the recently signed cooperation agreements between Khartoum and Juba will contribute significantly to the continued communication between the Sudans for the benefit of their peoples.
He stressed that the interaction and common interests between the citizens of the two countries did not stop even after separation, adding that the delegation’s visit will be the beginning of real cooperation between the two sides.
Both nations agreed in March to resume cross-border oil flows and defuse tensions that have plagued them since South Sudan’s independence in July 2011, following an agreement which ended decades of civil war.
However, the two countries have been unable to decide on the ownership of Abyei, which is inhabited by the Dinka tribe aligned with South Sudan and the Misseriya, an Arab tribe with close links to Sudan.
Nonetheless their relations have dramatically improved and last month Bashir paid his first visit to Juba since the country’s official partition.
(ST)