The leaders of South Sudan and Sudan have agreed to reopen borders between the two countries to boost trade and free movement of citizens.

Sudan has closed its borders with South Sudan since 2011 and there have never been trading activities between the two countries.

This was discussed in a brief meeting held between President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s Prime Minister of Sudan Dr. Abdalla Hamdok upon his arrival to Juba yesterday.

Dr. Hamdok is in the country for a two-day visit to discuss key issues including the reopening of borders between the two countries and the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement.

Addressing the media after the Head of States’ closed-door meeting, Dr Dhieu Mathok Diing, Minister of Trade and Investment said the line Ministers who accompanied the Prime Minister would meet with their counterparts South Sudanese on Thursday to discuss the implementation 2012 Corporation Agreement.

“The Prime Minister came with some ministers who are responsible for the corporation agreements and that is why our president was joined by a number of ministers from South Sudan to meet with their counterparts to see how best they can promote the corporation agreements and implement those which are not implemented,” Dhieu stated.

The bilateral issues are enshrined in the corporation agreements which the implementations are yet to be discussed by the ministers.

“This afternoon is meant for the different ministers to meet with their counterpart to discuss the bilateral issues among them is the reopening up of the borders which is one the key issues that the borders between Sudan and South Sudan must be opened so that people can harmoniously do trade,” Dhieu explained.

Renewed ties

Sudan and South Sudan have been on a path of bridging the differences and fixing the diplomatic ties since the transitional government steered by Dr Hamdok came into existence.

These renewed diplomatic relations have worked in turn resuscitated economic ties between Khartoum and Juba, as both governments support initiatives that help in fixing the bilateral trade.

In January, Juba hosted a Sudanese expo where young Sudanese traders came to showcase the merchandise in Juba and networked with the locals to team up in setting up businesses.

Speaking during the launch of the exhibition, First Vice President Dr Riek Machar called for the removal of barriers that prevent trade among the Sudanese and the South Sudanese.

“We want the implementation of the four rights so that our people will be able to trade together, to settle and work anywhere in the two countries,” Dr Machar said.

Apart from the bid to restore the cross border trade, Dr Hamdok who doubles up as the chairperson of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has been a frequent guest of President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr Riek Machar, who are the chief protagonists of the 2018 peace deal.

Yesterday, Dr Hamdok met Dr Machar where they discussed the progress of the peace agreement.

The meeting between the two leaders is expected to put to rest or at least provide a solution to the ongoing wrangles within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) which have attracted the attention of the international community.

Last week, IGAD issued a communiqué after a meeting urging the peace partners to find a solution to the unending party wrangles.

Splinter faction led by Gen. Simon Gatwech and Gen. Johnson Olony has issued a statement disowning the leadership of Dr Machar and installing Gatwech as the interim party chairperson.

Since making a maiden official visit to Juba on September 13, 2019, Dr Hamdok has never looked back and has been advocating for a good relationship with President Salva Kiir-led administration.

“I am very delighted to be here in my second home, Juba. We are looking for a very strategic, very distinguished relationship between our two nations, and the sky is the limit for this relationship,” Hamdok told the press on his maiden Juba visit.

“We hope to have a very prosperous relationship that will address issues of trade, the border issue, oil, free movement of our people between the two countries and all these agendas.”