The government of South Sudan has dismissed claims that it will shut its borders with Sudan in December in retaliation for Khartoum’s economic embargo since last May.
Senior SPLM official and assembly chief whip Atem Garang was quoted as saying that the move, intended to counter Khartoum’s blockade on food and fuel, will impact herders and livestock who move across the borders for grazing.Government spokesperson Barnaba Marial Benjamin said Garang’s claims are unfounded and contradict the agreement signed between the two neighbouring countries to open ten border crossings.
He added that it was Khartoum that decided to close the borders, not Juba.
Khartoum sealed off its borders with the South in May, a move that prevented the flow of goods, leading to food and fuel shortages and price hikes.
Dr. Marial said the blockade mostly affects Sudan’s economy since South Sudan is its biggest market and the move made no economic sense.
He admitted that the blockade is affecting South Sudan but the country has alternative supplying markets in East Africa and DR Congo.
The border demarcation remains one of the contentious post-independence issues to be solved by the two neighbouring nations.
Although the two countries signed this month an agreement opening ten crossing points along the border, analysts say it is crucial that demarcation takes place to avoid border related violence.