South Sudan vows to promote strong ties with Sudan
May 30, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan is determined to fully promote strong bilateral ties with the government and people of neighbouring Sudan, through implementation of the Cooperation Agreement which the two heads of state signed in September 2012, its information and broadcasting minister said on Thursday.
Bashir recently threatened to prevent Southern oil passing through northern pipelines just weeks after production had resumed after a stoppage which lasted over a year. But South Sudan’s ambassador in Khartoum has downplayed the comments claiming that the president has a habit of making “emotional” outbursts.
South Sudanese crude is due to arrive in the coastal city of Port Sudan in mid-June after what was described as a technical glitch was resolved last week.
Juba had accused Khartoum of ordering oil companies to interfere with production in South Sudanese oil fields. But, Khartoum said the water contained in the crude, had to be reduced, dismissing any interference.
Since South Sudan’s independence almost two years ago relations have remained tense over a number of issues including oil, border demarcation and disputed areas.
Marial said Thursday that there were no reasons why the people of South Sudan and the Sudan cannot interact and live together as neighbours.
“We will always meet ourselves because the two countries are without doubt one people, brothers and sisters, sharing the same cultural norms and values and located within the same geographical area.”
Sudan and South Sudan were “bound to co-exist in the spirit of brotherhood at all times. This is precisely the reason President Salva Kiir Mayardit has always been manifesting commitment towards ensuring that South Sudan and Sudan become one people who will together to lay the foundation stone for two viable and independent states in the region”, Marial said.
Minister Marial told reporters at the premises of the information ministry in Juba that relations between the two countries are expected to improve despite ongoing differences over post secession issues.
“I am confident that our relations with the republic of Sudan will pick up and grow because the citizens in both countries want to live in peace with each other and there are things that they need from each other. This is why the government is not relenting in efforts to consolidating the connection because the two countries are actually cognisant of the fact that healthy relations between and among people at community, national and international levels are fundamental in development”, Marial explained.
The minister said that the continuous exchange of visits by top officials of both two countries – citing the recent visit to Khartoum by South Sudanese delegations regarding humanitarian affairs, interior, trade, commerce and industry – were an indication that their bilateral ties were improving.
The two countries are stepping up efforts to not only promote peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness, but also to assist each other to overcome socio-economic challenges; and achieve sustainable development, he said.
“We hope that such visit would continue and this can only be done when countries foster bonds of oneness and brotherhood. It will go a long way in emancipating these countries from the shackles of poverty, underdevelopment, wars and diseases.”
Both nations have recently accused the other of backing rebels in the others’ territory causing mass displacement and humanitarian issues.
“As human beings, we would find it extremely difficult to live a meaningful life without each other’s support in one way or the other. Such is the reality of human nature, which has undoubtedly been mirrored and reflected in South Sudan-Sudan relations”, he said.
(ST)