South Sudan’s FM in Khartoum for bilateral talks
December 31, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Barnaba Marial Benjamin Thursday arrived Khartoum on a four-day visit.
Sudanese Foreign Minister, Ibrahim Ghandour said the visiting minister will participate in the festivities of Sudan’s Independence. Also, he confirmed that they will hold a two-day meeting on Sunday to discuss bilateral issues .
“The participation of the South Sudan foreign minister Thursday in the country’s Independence Day celebrations, emphasizes the depth of brotherly relations between the two countries,” Ghandour said.
He added that Sudan looks forward to establish strong relations with the new nation, pointing to the historical ties between the two parties of the former Sudan.
The two countries signed a Cooperation Agreement in September 2012, dealing with settlement of the pending issues after the secession of South Sudan.
However, Khartoum complains of the slow pace of implementation of cooperation protocols. Sudanese officials point to the security agreement which provides to deploy a joint border force, saying Juba withdrew its units few weeks after the deployment of the UN supported monitoring teams.
Observers note only the agreement on export of South Sudan’s oil through Port Sudan Port was implemented.
The Moscow declaration stresses the need to speed up the implementation of September 2012 agreements , that also include agreements on border trade, banking , salaries and pensions.
A diplomatic source told Sudan Tribune that Benjamin would discuss the implementation of the peace agreement signed last August by President Salva Kiir and his former Vice-President, rebel leader Riek Machar.
(ST)