Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdoka ended a three – day visit to South Sudan on Sunday (August 22nd). In Juba, he met his southern counterparts, Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, respectively president and vice president of the country, at daggers drawn after the formation of a united army.
as reported from Khartoum, Eliott Brachet
Abdallah Hamdok went to Juba with a double hat. Representative of IGAD, the regional cooperation organization and the Prime Minister of Sudan. By increasing the number of meetings, Hamdok reaffirmed its commitment to the peace process in South Sudan.
He posed as a mediator in the ongoing political crisis between the president Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar. Khartoum has also been very concerned about the recent armed clashes that have spread into its territory, in the White Nile State, between different factions of Machar’s forces.
the Southern Sudan is plagued by relentless violence as the ceasefire is regularly violated by the various factions that share power in Juba, despite the peace process that began in 2018 where Sudan is the mediator.
Border opening and trade development Arrived from Khartoum with a large delegation, including foreign ministers, defense, trade and mineral and oil resources, Abdallah Hamdok also praised increased economic cooperation between the two countries.
Strengthening bilateral relations was therefore also on the agenda. As of October 1, 4 border crossing stations will reopen after 11 years of closure. The two countries have committed themselves to developing bilateral trade through the construction of new roads and the renovation of the railway line connecting them.
Juba and Khartoum also agreed to resume negotiations on the Abyei region. Leg struggle between the two countries since the independence of the South. This region with large oil resources is controlled by Khartoum but claimed by Juba.
A local referendum is to be held there, but the two parties are worried about whether or not nomadic Arab tribes will participate in this consultation. Discussions should resume soon, the two capitals assure, without specifying a specific date.
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