S. Sudan, Ethiopian spy agencies to cooperate on regional interests

ADDIS ABABA – South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) and its Ethiopian counterpart, National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), have agreed to cooperate in major and important regional interests, according to a senior government official.

Earlier this week, a high-level government delegation led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s security advisor Tut Gatluak and the head of the country’s NSS, General Akol Koor Kuc visited Addis Ababa.

The delegation which also included South Sudan’s minister of East African Affairs, Deng Alor Kuol, Foreign Minister Beatrice Khamisa Wani, and Jonglei state governor Denay Jok Chagor, was in Ethiopia to deliver to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed a mediation offer by President Salva Kiir Mayardit to help resolve escalating border tensions between Ethiopia and Sudan.

Speaking to Sudans Post this evening, a senior member of the South Sudan delegation said Ethiopian security chief, Temesgen Tiruneh, and South Sudan’s General Akol Koor met and agreed to cooperate on regional interests.

“They met yesterday and they agreed to cooperate on important regional interests. That was the basis of their meeting,” the senior government official told Sudans Post from Addis Ababa on condition of anonymity.

Ethiopian media also reported that the “Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) of Ethiopia, Temesgen Tiruneh held discussion on bilateral issues with Director General of South Sudan’s Internal Security Bureau, Akol Koor Kuc.”

“During the discussion, the two sides agreed to strengthen their cooperation on regional security issues,” Addis Ababa-based FBC reported quoting a Ethiopian security statement.

The statement also said the two security chiefs “reaffirmed their commitment to maintain regional peace and security by exchanging information regarding illicit firearms trafficking, terrorism and illegal activities at border areas.”

“Security services of the two countries have also agreed to cooperate in capacity building sectors. According to the statement, Ethiopia will provide training to South Sudanese experts,” it added.