Sudan and South Sudan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Border, Immigration and Customs to further mutual cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement was signed in Khartoum by South Sudan’s Minister of Interior Aleu Ayieny Aleu and his Sudanese counterpart Esmat Zain al-Abdeen Abdel-Rahman during a four day official visit by Aleu to Khartoum.

“We held a number of meetings whereby we met the Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir in which we convey a message to him from our President Salva Kiir concerning the remaining cooperation issues between the two countries,” Aleu told reporters at Juba Airport upon his arrival from Sudan after the visit.

Aleu said the visit covered a range of areas regarding developing bilateral ties between Juba and Khartoum, especially on security, economic, and humanitarian affairs.

He said that the two countries signed the mutual cooperation agreement under the umbrella of the Africa Union to open their borders to allow peaceful trade and movement of citizens.

Aleu said they also agreed to extend training of police officers in South Sudan in Sudan, and that the MOU is a step toward strengthening relations between the two countries.

Aleu also met with Sudanese business leaders during his visit.

Photos: South Sudan's Minister of Interior Aleu Ayieny Aleu jointly with his Sudanese Counterpart Esmat Zain al-Abdeen Abdel-Rahman signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Khartoum on Monday, 30 June 2014 (Courtesy: South Sudan Ministry of Interior)