Sudan-South Sudan border ‘still not open’

The border crossings between Sudan and South Sudan have still not been opened, despite the decision of both government to re-open four border crossing points between the two countries early last week.

Traders in the border area of El Khurasana in West Kordofan told Radio Dabanga that El Khurasana and El Naama border crossings have been closed for commercial movement and have not yet been officially opened.

“The security service is still confiscating goods from traders if they cross into South Sudan, on the pretext that they have not yet received any official directives to allow the resumption of trade between the two countries.”

Sudanese Minister of Transport, Makawi Awad, and South Sudan presidential adviser on security affairs Tut Galuwak signed the agreement on Tuesday July 3rd. Their meeting took place in Khartoum and discussed the implementation of directives by President Omar Al Bashir to open the border with South Sudan, after the signing of Khartoum Declaration of Agreement on June 27.

The crossing points have been marked for re-opening last March as the two countries did not yet finalise their talks on the border demarcation. The issue has been ongoing since the secession of South Sudan in July 2011.

The closed border did not totally stop the trade between the two sides, as the border areas from both Sudan and South Sudan historically had strong trade relations. Minister Awad said that the Sudanese private sector will contribute to restoring the roads and transportation means.