Sudan, S. Sudan foreign ministers say countries preparing to open borders

JUBA – South Sudan’s foreign minister, Beatrice Khamis Wani, and her Sudanese counterpart, Mariam Sadig al Mahdi, said on Thursday that they have agreed to reopen cross-border corridor in a bid to boost trade between the two countries.

This comes after Al Mahdi arrived in Juba on Thursday evening.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting in Juba, foreign minister Wani said they have discussed ways to reopen the cross-border corridor for trade and free movement of people.

“Much as we are two different countries but we are also the same people, therefore we discuss issues of corridors like how we are going to open those corridors. Those corridors are very important for our people in south Sudan and Sudan to allow freedom of movement, and boost trade,” she said.

“We have seen the small goods that came from Sudan. They are very affordable to our people and we want to assure our people that we will reopen the borders,” Wani added..

Wani said they have to renew the cooperation agreement that was signed between Sudan and South Sudan in 2012. The agreement includes freedom of movement, trade, residence and work.

“We also touch on cooperation agreements that were signed between Sudan and south Sudan like how we are going to activate them,” she said.

For her part, the visiting Sudanese foreign minister Mariam Sadig Almadi, said reopening border corridors will benefit the two countries to boost their economy.

Sadig said her government is working with the IGAD to resolve border conflict between Sudan and Ethiopia.

“We need to build a strong bilateral relationship with our neighbors, we are open for talk on land related issues, and we need cooperation and good relations with Ethiopia,” she said.