Sudan, South Sudan to open borders after 11 years

Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to open their borders after 11 years. This was announced after a meeting between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok took place at President Kiir’s office.

According to a press statement seen by Nation Africa at the weekend, the diplomatic meeting convened in Juba also resolved the re-opening of water transport.

“The two parties engaged in extensive talks and candid discussion on all aspects and fields of cooperation. The opening of four border crossing posts; Jebeleen-Renk, Meriam, Buram -Tumsah and Kharsana-Panakuac. The official launch will take place on October 1, 2021 by the two parties, ”  the joint press statement.

During Omar Bashir’s regime, South Sudan and Sudan closed much of the 2,000 borders in 2011 – hitting traders and communities on both sides of the disputed line.

The borders were closed in 2011 when relations deteriorated after the south seceded following a long civil war, taking with it three quarters of the country’s oil. However, in January 2016, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan ordered the opening of his country’s border with South Sudan but this did not last.

Suzan O /AllAfrica