The governments of South Sudan and Sudan yesterday signed two breakthrough agreements after a false start at the resumption of negotiations last week.
The African Union, who facilitates the post-independence talks, announced that the delegations from Juba and Khartoum signed two agreements on the status of nationals and border demarcation.Nationals of South Sudan and Sudan will now enjoy the four freedoms of residence, of movement, to undertake economic activity and to buy and sell property in the other State.
The negotiators also agreed to form a Committee on the Status of Nationals of the Other State and Related Matters.
The agreement on the borders provides the basis for starting the demarcation of Africa’s longest boundary assisted by three institutions: the Joint Border Commission, a Joint Demarcation Committee and a Joint Technical Team.
The two agreements will be inked by Presidents President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Omar al-Bashir at a summit to be held in Juba in two weeks.
The AU praised South Sudan and Sudan for renewing their commitment to continue negotiations in good faith and to arrive at agreements which will ensure the economic, political and security viability of both states.
The Joint Political and Security Mechanism will meet before the Presidents Summit to discuss common security concerns and challenges.