2,500 South Sudan Citizens Leave Sudan's White Nile State Their New Country

KOSTI, SUDAN, Nov 4 (BERNAMA-NNN-SUNA) -- The government of Sudan's White Nile State witnessed Sunday the departure of 2,500 people who formed the last batch of citizens of South Sudan to leave for the Great Baher Al-Ghazal region in their new country following the separation of the south from the rest of Sudan to become an independent separate nation in July 2011.

The departure ceremony was attended by the Deputy of the Wali (governor) of the state, Babiker Shinepo, South Sudan's Ambassador to Sudan, Mayen Dut Wol, the Director of the National Immigration Centre, General Al-Sir Al-Umdda, members of the White Nile State government, security officials and officials of the Humanitarian Aid Commission.

The Deputy of the Wali (governor) of White Nile State, in his address to the event, asserted the keenness of the leadership of the two countries to strengthen relations between the two countries and to exchange joint benefits, adding that White Nile State looked forward to establishing ideal relations with South Sudan.

Meanwhile, South Sudan's Ambassador to Khartoum, Mayen Dut Wol, expressed gratitude to White Nile State and its different organs for the good treatment accorded to the South Sudan citizens during their stay in Kosti for three years.

He announced the closure of South Sudan citizens' camp in Kosti as of Sunday and the continuing departure of South Sudan citizens to the south during the comingmonths according to directives given by President Silva Kiir of South Sudan.

He revealed that a conference for the bordering states of the two countries would be held next month, as well as the intention of the South Sudan Embassy in Khartoum to open a consulate in Kosti city.

-- BERNAMA-NNN-SUNA