Move to Reopen Sudan and South Sudan Borders Lauded as Mutually Beneficial

The decision to reopen these border check points is seen as a move to revitalize trade between the two countries and give free movement between the two independent nations.

“We hope to have very prosperous relationship that will address issues of trade, border issue, oil, free movement of our people between the two countries and all these agendas,” Sudan Prime Minister Hamdok has been quoted as saying.

“I believe (that) he (Hamdok) is going to come up with very strong effective policies … especially the issue of the oil and we are really one people, two countries,” South Sudan Vice President James Wani told journalists in Juba soon after the agreement to open the borders was reached.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Asma Mohamed expressed optimism between their nations saying Sudanese and South Sudanese are still “brothers and sisters” despite Sudan’s 21-year civil war, which led to South Sudan’s secession.

“We have been one country and now we are two countries but we are still one nation and we hope to develop our relations,” Mohamed told the press in South Sudanese capital, Juba.

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“We would like also to take the opportunity of the positive atmosphere between the two countries to further our cooperation and make sure that all the issues between our two countries will be solved,” he added.

On her part, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister in South Sudan Awut Deng hoped for lasting peace saying, “I think time has come for us in the two countries to silence the guns.”

“The war is no more options for our people,” she continued and added, “We need to have peace and sustainable peace in the two countries.”