In conciliatory gesture, Sudan re-opens border with South Sudan – the first time since 2011 secession

Sudan has re-opened its country’s border with South Sudan for the first time since the south’s secession in 2011, paving the way for better economic links between the two nations.

The border was closed in 2011 when relations deteriorated after the south seceded following a long civil war, taking with it 3 quarters of the country’s oil, estimated at 5 billion barrels of proven reserves.

Sudan President Omar al-Bashir has issued a directive ordering the opening of borders with the state of South Sudan and ordered the relevant authorities to take all measures required to implement this decision on the ground.

According to Michael Makuei Lueth – South Sudan’s government spokesman – the reopening of the border would boost economic ties. “This is a positive move in a right direction because this is what will lead to the normalization of our relations with Sudan,” he told reporters.

The decision to re-open the border comes shortly after Sudan agreed to re-negotiate the contentious issue of oil transit fees with South Sudan.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir also called for the revival of joint committees between the 2 countries to implement the cooperation agreement signed between Khartoum and Juba in September 2012. “We need to work together with our brothers and sisters in Khartoum to normalize relations,” Kiir pointed out.

Following South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011, a number of issues remain unresolved between the 2 neighbors. They include border demarcation and even the sharing of debts and assets.

Source: Agencies