South Sudan, Sudan set to establish committee to resolve border conflicts

VP Hussein Abdelbhagi arrived in Awe4il over the weekend. (Photo: Radio Tamazuj)

The governments of South Sudan and Sudan have agreed to form a high-level committee to resolve all border-connected conflicts with the aim to create a conducive environment for peace and security between the neighboring countries.

Northern Bahr el Ghazal Governor Tong Akeen Ngor said that Vice president Hussein Abdelbagi Akol Agany traveled to the state over the weekend and briefed local government officials, security organs, and county commissioners on the recent developments between the two governments.

“Thank God the vice president for services cluster in South Sudan, Hussein Abdelbhagi has updated us on the recent meeting he held in Juba with deputy chairman of Sudan’s sovereign council, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, and the outcome was that a high-level committee presided over by the two vice presidents will be formed,” Governor Akeen said on Sunday.

He added: “In the same meeting, the governors from Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Unity states in South Sudan plus their counterpart governors in South and West Kordufan states in Sudan, will be part of the committee.  It is expected to take place one week from today (Sunday) and will come up with guidelines and standards for the borders reopening, especially between Northern Bahr el Ghazal and West Kordufan to avoid security threats between Masseriya and Dinka Malual sections.”

Community leaders and traders in the border areas have welcomed the move and said it will promote peace and security in the areas where Dinka and Masseriya reside.

Abraham Garang, the head of the chamber of commerce in Warawar town in Aweil East County, said the government-led initiative is welcome because it will bring peace along the border areas.

“The initiative is very good indeed because it will promote peace between Dinka Malual and Masseria. The government-supported peace is better than what is supported by the communities. We wish it will be permanent peace if the governments are involved, so we welcome the move,’’ Garang said. “It is supportive because if there is peace, the trade will improve and people will carry out their businesses between Sudan and South.”

The Aweil East County paramount chief, Peter Makuach Kuol, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that he supports the initiative because it is the only opportunity to create peace between the communities along the border.

“This is a good opportunity for peace and I do not have any objection because I am the overall paramount chief in Aweil East County and if the government does something, I will not oppose it because I am under the authority of the vice president.’’