South Sudan’s economy to benefit from Sudan’s peace deal: experts

JUBA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) — The Sudan’s final peace deal that was signed by government and opposition groups on Saturday will boost economic recovery efforts in neighboring South Sudan, experts said on Monday.

James Okuk, a Juba based political analyst said that cessation of conflict in Sudan’s Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions, will be a boon to South Sudan’s economy and long-term stability.

“It will help both countries to focus on peace and economic development with maximum freedoms given to their citizens,” Okuk said.

Sudan’s transitional Sovereign Council and the armed opposition groups in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions on Saturday signed a final peace deal in the South Sudanese capital of Juba to end decades of civil strife.

Okuk said the peace deal could unleash inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the landlocked South Sudan whose main source of revenue is oil.

He said that optimism demonstrated by Khartoum will encourage the region and the international community to rally behind speedy implementation of the peace deal.

“Khartoum seems serious as it has demonstrated in taking the lead in finalizing the agreement with a political willingness to implement it without delays while calling for the two holdout groups of Abdulaziz Al-Hilu and Abdel Wahid to join the process,” said Okuk.

Michael Koma, editor-in-chief of the Witness Newspaper, said Sudan’s peace accord will open a new chapter of robust diplomatic ties with Juba.

“A peace agreement in Sudan will have a positive impact on its relations with its neighbors, and more importantly with South Sudan which uses Sudan to export its oil to the world market,” Koma said.

Sudan’s peace deal ended 17 years of civil strife in Darfur and Southern parts of Sudan that saw hundreds of thousands of people dead and curtailed development in the Southern and western regions.

Hamdan Kambo, a Sudanese trader based in Juba said the peace agreement will ensure that citizens co-exist peacefully and contribute to economic development of their respective countries.

“With peace, the border between South Sudan and Sudan will now open and operate with ease as travelers and goods will be transported from Khartoum to Juba,” said Kambo.

For the last 13 months, South Sudan has been mediating talks between Sudan government and the opposition coalition to end recurrent conflicts. Enditem