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Sudan, South Sudan Leaders Agree to Reopen Borders

Waakhe Simon Wudu

   JUBA , SOUTH SUDAN - The leaders of South Sudan and Sudan have agreed
   to reopen border areas between their countries in a bid to boost trade
   and the free movement of people.

   The agreement between new Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and
   South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, reached late Thursday, is
   significant because several border areas remain closed, including
   Heglig in South Sudan's former Unity State, Kafiakinji in Raja in South
   Sudan, and El-Khurasana in Sudan's Western Kordofan state.

   South Sudan's deputy minister of foreign affairs, Deng Dau Deng, said
   he and Sudan's foreign minister, Asma Mohamed Abdalla, touched on the
   disputed, oil-producing region of Abyei during their talks.

   "Of course the issue of Abyei is a fundamental issue because we want a
   final status on the resolution on the conflict of Abyei. The current
   government in Khartoum and the sovereign council and the Cabinet are
   very open in addressing the issues that are outstanding between South
   Sudan and the Republic of Sudan," said Dau.

   Dau said Hamdok also met with the leaders of various Sudanese rebel
   groups during a two-day visit to Juba that ended Friday and reaffirmed
   his government's commitment to ending hostilities with the rebel
   groups.

   A Sudanese government delegation and the rebel groups signed a
   declaration of principles in Juba and agreed to hold peace talks next
   month. Dau said part of the reason for Hamdok's visit to Juba was to
   cement that process.

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