Freedom of movement between Sudan and Egypt as of next week

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Sep 1, 2004 (AP) –Sudan said Wednesday that as of next week, Egyptians can enter the country without a visa, the latest implementation of an agreement allowing more freedoms between the neighbors.

Interior Minister Abdel-Rahim Hussein said the decision will take effect Sept. 8, state-run television reported.

The move is part of the so-called “Four Freedoms Agreement” that was concluded between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir in Cairo in January. The agreement gives Egyptians and Sudanese freedom of movement, residence, work and ownership in either country.

The decision “exempts all Egyptian nationals arriving to Sudan from restrictions, procedures and taxation relative to entry, exit, residence and movement applied on foreigners, provided that the Egyptian national be treated on equal footing with the Sudanese subjects,” the state run television said.

Sudan and Egypt broke relations in 1995 after Egypt accused Sudan of giving sanctuary to people involved in the failed attempt to assassinate Mubarak in Ethiopia that year. They restored full diplomatic relations in 2000.