Khartoum and Juba ask AU to help mark border

The Khartoum government has withdrawn all its troops from the border with South Sudan, an army official has said. FILE PHOTO | XINHUA 

By JOSEPH ODUHA in Juba

In Summary

• Juba minister disclosed that the appeal to the AU was agreed on by both countries at a meeting held in Khartoum early this month to discuss the implementation of the 2012 Cooperation Agreement.

The governments of Sudan and South Sudan have requested the African Union (AU) to commence the demarcation of their common border.

The Juba-based Eye Radio quoted South Sudan’s Defence minister Kuol Manyang Juk saying the demarcation deadline was before the end of June.

The minister disclosed that the appeal to the AU was agreed on by both countries at a meeting held in Khartoum early this month to discuss the implementation of the 2012 Cooperation Agreement.

He said a technical team for the demarcation would comprise the forces of both countries.

“When they arrive, they will demarcate those places and then our forces and the Sudan arm forces will move backwards to a 20km buffer zone,” General Juk was quoted by Eye Radio.

The minister further added that both the Juba and Khartoum Interior ministers would meet in the South Sudan capital after the Ramadhan to identify four border entry points.

The two neighbouring countries have never enjoyed good relations since the breakaway of South from the larger Sudan in 2011.

READ: Sudan opens border with S.Sudan for first time since secession

ALSO READ: Khartoum and Juba in talks over pending issues