Friday, 29 January 2016

Sudan reopens border with South Sudan


Five years after Sudanese authorities restricted the movement of people and goods from neighbouring South Sudan, the borders have now been declared open.

President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir is now allowing a free movement between the two countries.

The border was closed in 2011 when relations deteriorated after the south seceded following a long civil war.
"President Omar al-Bashir issued a decree today 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," Sudan's state news agency SUNA reported on Wednesday.
The government of South Sudan welcomed the decision.

Michael Makuei Lueth, South Sudan's government spokesman, said 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 normalisation of our relations with Sudan," he told Reuters.

The restriction had forced retail traders to engage in limited smuggling business practices.
Last week, South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, issued a statement asking his army units of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), to pull back from the borderline with Sudan.

No comments:

Post a Comment