Khartoum, Juba Agree to Establish Joint Supreme Economic Committee
Sudan and South Sudan have concluded official talks that resulted in an agreement to establish a Joint Supreme Economic Committee, to be co-chaired by the Sudanese Prime Minister and the Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan in charge of the economic sector. The two sides also agreed to activate other joint committees and expand areas of smart partnerships between the two countries.
This was stated in a joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of a visit by Tut Galuak, Advisor to the President of South Sudan on Security Affairs, to Sudan from December 13 to 16, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in political, economic, and security fields.
The statement affirmed the agreement of both sides to exchange political and diplomatic support in regional and international forums, enhance joint contributions toward peace and stability in both countries, and facilitate the movement of oil exports and other goods through the allocation of a free zone at Port Sudan.
During the visit, Advisor Tut Galuak met with Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and delivered a written message from South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit, expressing the solidarity of the government and people of South Sudan with Sudan during this critical phase and Juba’s commitment to developing bilateral relations.
The South Sudanese delegation, which included ministers and senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs and petroleum, as well as intelligence services, held meetings with several senior Sudanese officials, including Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces General Shams El-Din Kabbashi, Prime Minister Dr. Kamil Al-Tayeb Idris, and the ministers of foreign affairs, interior, and petroleum.
The talks addressed political and security developments, ways to protect and operate joint oil fields—particularly in Heglig and Bamboo areas—strengthening cooperation on migration and citizen protection issues, and activating bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding.
Both sides agreed to enhance banking and financial channels, encourage exchanges of expertise and technical visits in the oil sector, and intensify diplomatic coordination in a manner that serves the strategic interests of both peoples.
At the conclusion of the visit, the two parties signed the joint meeting minutes and reaffirmed their commitment to continued coordination and consultation to strengthen fraternal relations and integration between Sudan and South Sudan.
