Juba government delays security meeting with Sudan
The meeting, which was scheduled for 16 November in Khartoum, will discuss the activation of the demilitarized zone between the two countries and the deployment of the UN supported joint border monitoring patrols.
South Sudan’s ambassador to Khartoum Mayan Dut Waal Thursday stated that he will hand over an official letter from his government to the government of Sudan requesting the adjournment of the meeting of the joint political and security committee to 24 November.
Waal told the semi-official news service SMC that the participation of the South Sudanese defence minister Kuol Manyang Juuk in the upcoming meeting of IGAD head of states in Juba next Sunday forced them to demand the 8-day delay.
The ambassador confirmed that minister will arrive to Khartoum on 23 November and expressed his government’s keenness to implement the Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries in September 2012.
He further showed optimism about the outcome of the coming security meeting and expressed hope that it marks a new beginning in the relations between the two neighbouring countries.
The envoy also welcomed the visit of the Sudanese president Omer Al-Bashir to Juba next Sunday where he will participate in a meeting of IGAD head of states.
(ST)