South Sudan and neigbouring Ethiopia have agreed to enhance border security and trade by building alternate oil infrastructure.

The agreement was reached on July 6, 2024 by governors and administrators on the common border between South Sudan and Ethiopia during which the two sides held extensive discussions on various issues.

The discussions, officials told Sudan Tribune, were cordial in an honest manner.

The meeting is a step towards building consensus on common interests for the two countries through collaboration on physical infrastructure development to enhance trade, security, and investment.  It further commits the two countries to work together to promote and strengthen economic cooperation to achieve economic growth and prosperity for the mutual benefit of the two countries and for this reason, several resolutions were issued after lengthy discussions.

One of the important resolutions is the understanding reached by the two sides is the agreement on infrastructure development. it has been agreed to work together to mobilize resources to build the road connecting the state of Upper Nile, especially the Gambella-Pagak through Maiwut to Malakal-Maluth and Paloich. This is an important road. It will be used for transportation of the oil through the port of Djibouti. This means the security of the road will be coordinated and enhanced for trade and movement of people and goods between both nations.

This was preceded by a parliamentary decision of the South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly on June 24, 2024, approving 778 million dollars for the construction of a highway project linking South Sudan with neighboring Ethiopia.

David Nyang, the minister of cabinet affairs in Upper Nile state issued a statement commending the efforts of the governments of Ethiopia and South Sudan, saying it represents an opportunity for the two countries to consolidate peace and stability in the region through trade and economic cooperation.

“We recognize the importance of border trade and this can be enhanced through the existence of roads and provision of security,” he stated.

Nyang explained that criminal activities at the border between the two countries include human trafficking and livestock smuggling due to weak border management.

“The meeting presents an opportunity for us to strengthen our bilateral relations and enhance border security to foster peace and stability, economic cooperation and development address humanitarian concerns, and displacement and enhance trade and investment between the two countries,” he stressed.

South Sudan’s deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Semaya K. Kumba described the meeting as a milestone in bilateral relations.

He emphasized that the agreement will help resolve shared challenges and promote cooperation and understanding.

“I would like to congratulate the two countries for signing a financial agreement that was ratified by South Sudan to build a cross-border highway”, said Kumba.

The deputy minister acknowledged long-existing relationships between countries, dating back to the liberation struggle and the support successive Ethiopian leaders and authorities gave South Sudanese.

He reiterated the commitment of the government under President Salva Kiir to implement the signed agreement, without fail.