South Sudan MP accuses Sudan of changing border crossings

Photo: MP Deng Goc

A South Sudanese lawmaker has accused Sudan’s Sovereign Council of trying to change border crossings along the common border between the two countries.

Deng Goc, an MP representing Renk constituency, told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that neighboring Sudan is trying change border crossings recently agreed upon by the two countries.

“The Sovereign Council [of Sudan] wants to set its own conditions on the reopening of border crossings,” he said.

Sudan and South Sudan agreed to reopen border crossings along their common border to boost trade and allow movement of communities on both sides.

The lawmaker said the two nations had agreed to reopen two crossings points at Joda and Kuek areas, but wondered why Sudan is insisting on opening Al Tabun, an area located east of Renk.

Goc pointed out that the border crossing at Al-Tabun was not agreed upon when President Salva Kiir met Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Juba.

The lawmaker revealed that the border issue between the two countries was under military intelligence before the fall of the previous regime, stressing the need to assign the border trade issue to the ministries of commerce and interior in the two countries.

Meanwhile, the governor of Sudan’s White Nile State, Major General Haidar Al Tarifi recently announced the initiation of arrangements to reopen border crossings with South Sudan.

The governor said Sunday that they held meetings and consultations with the Sovereign Council and the minister of commerce to reopen border crossings at Kuek and Al Tabun border with South Sudan.

Sudan had closed much of its border after South Sudan’s independence in 2011.