Sudan and South Sudan agree on borders and status of nationals

Negotiators for the Sudanese government have returned to Khartoum following discussions in Addis Ababa on the outstanding issues with the recently-created state of South Sudan. Two agreements have been signed, one which sets out the border between the two countries and another on regulating the status of citizens of both states.

In a statement issued by the Sudanese Centre for Press Services, the head of the negotiating delegation and the Minister of State for the Presidency, Idris Mohamed Abdel-Kader, explained that the parties agreed to form a ministerial committee, headed by the respective Interior Ministers, to be responsible for following-up on the citizens’ status situation. The Centre pointed out that the issues of freedom of movement, freedom of business activity, freedom of ownership and the freedom of residence have been agreed upon, based on reciprocity.

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With regards to Sudan’s oil reserves, Mr. Abdel-Kader said, “What is new in this cycle is the dialogue which presented visions of negotiations about the commercial fundamentals or the financial transitional arrangements.”

He explained that agreements have been reached to continue the dialogue with new foundations, saying: “We agreed on mechanisms related to the security arrangements between the two countries; we agreed on forming a security military committee, headed by the Defence Ministers of both countries, to lead on the establishment of security and stability along the border between the two states.”

The Minister revealed that there will be a summit meeting between President Omar Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir to be held in Juba during the next few days; the first such summit was held in Khartoum. He added that one of the summit’s main objectives will be to sign the agreements reached by the two parties on mutual cooperation for the benefit of both countries.