Allafrica.com: 1. Sudan: Two Sudans Fail to Agree On the Start of Border Demarcation Operation 2. South Sudan: S. Sudan to Establish Strategic Partnership With Israel
Sudan: Two Sudans Fail to Agree On the Start of Border Demarcation Operation
12 December 2014
Khartoum — Sudan and South Sudan joint border technical committee failed to reach an agreement over the start of border demarcation process during meetings held in Khartoum this week.
The two countries held a series of meetings from 7 to 11 December on how to demarcate the 80% non-disputed zones of the 2,010-km border between the two countries.
The two sides "differed on how to demarcate the 80% of the border. From where the demarcation line starts? The East or the West," said theco-chairman of the joint boundary committee from the Sudanese side, Abdallah al-Sadiq told the semi-official SMC on Thursday.
Al-Sadiq further said at the difference will submitted the joint border demarcation commission adding the committee will hold its next meeting in Juba to discuss the remaining agenda.
Since the south Sudan independence three years ago, the two countries renew their commitment to demarcate the agreed boundary and to establish a Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ) over the disputed zones but nothing is done on the ground.
Analysts say the new dynamic created by the South Sudan crisis and the emergence of the rebel SPLM-In-Opposition complicates the implementation of the 27 September 2012 agreement on this respect.
The Sudanese official said the joint body agreed to establish a joint fund to finance the demarcation process, the joint call to donors to fund the operation and to provide technical support, and the formation of a joint technical team consists of 80 members, divided equally between the two countries.
African Union representative in Khartoum, Mahmoud Kan, last Tuesday reiterated the support of the regional body to the two countries to finalise the border demarcation as soon as possible.
He further said that the African Union border programme would support the two sides during their meetings in Khartoum, pointing that a team of three border experts is already working with the joint body.
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South Sudan: S. Sudan to Establish Strategic Partnership With Israel
12 December 2014
Juba — South Sudan government on Wednesday said it wanted to establish strategic partnership relations with Israel, describing as "historical" its past relations with the latter.
South Sudanese nationals before leaving Israel for their country - (Photo Los Ageles Times)
Foreign affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said South Sudan's relations with Israel started and evolved from sympathy and support for the liberation struggle against successive repressive regimes in neighbouring Sudan, from which the south broke away in July 2011.
"Our relations with Israel are growing well and pointing towards establishing strong partnership on matters which are important for mutual interests and benefits to the citizens from both sides. You know that relations between the people of Israel and South Sudan date backs to the era of Anyanya I [first war]", said Marial.
He said Israel was one of the few nations that stood by South Sudan during its difficult moments.
"They also stood with us during the second war of liberation struggle," said Marial.
He added, "So our relations with Israel have always been strong and historical. We are not starting with them from scratch. There have been long ties, which we now want to upgrade to strategic partnership in economic sector and infrastructure, education, mining industry and trade".
According to Marial, South Sudan government intends to build on the Israeli experience as mechanisms to enhance the country's food production.
The minister's remarks came as Ruben Marial Benjamin presented his credential to Israeli president, Reuven Rivlin as South Sudan's first ambassador to the country. Ruben is the minister's younger brother.
A former professional basketball player, Reuben arrived in Israel a few weeks back and opened South Sudan's embassy in the country.
Israeli ties to South Sudan go back to the 1960s, when the former reportedly offered aid and training to the rebels fighting the Khartoum regime. It was unsurprising that Israel was among the first nations to recognise South Sudan's independence in July 2011.
In September 2011, South Sudan president, Salva Kiir and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu met at the sideline of the United Nations general assembly. Kiir later made an official trip to Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli authorities.
South Sudan, the world's youngest and poorest nation, now has 26 embassies across the world since its independence in July 2011.