Sudan and South Sudan announced on Monday that they had reached agreements on border control, oil field protection, and the establishment of a joint economic committee.
The announcement followed the visit of South Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mandy Simaya to Port Sudan, where he held meetings with Sudanese officials, including Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem.
In a joint press conference, Salem said both sides agreed to regulate cross-border movement, enhance trade relations, encourage investment, and open banking channels between the two countries.
Simaya also met with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Deputy Chairman Malik Agar, Prime Minister Kamel Idris, and several cabinet ministers and intelligence officials.
Discussions with Sudan’s oil minister focused on challenges in the oil and energy sectors, with both sides agreeing to exchange expertise, boost production, and protect oil fields and pumping stations.
Simaya said the two countries would strengthen bilateral relations and ensure protection for citizens of both nations.
The ministers also agreed to reactivate political consultation mechanisms and continue cooperation on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and border security.
The two sides will form a Joint Economic Committee to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, oil, agriculture, and transport.
They also agreed to facilitate trade by allocating a free zone in Port Sudan for South Sudan, to be used for developing the oil industry and equipment, and to ease the movement of goods to Juba.
Planned reciprocal visits will include Sudanese ministers of foreign affairs, interior, and oil traveling to Juba, while South Sudan’s Vice President for Economic Affairs, Minister of Trade and Industry, and a delegation from the Petroleum Ministry will visit Sudan.
