Sudan’s Interior Minister Ibrahim Mahmud visited South Sudan on Monday to advance bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly with regard to the free movement of goods and citizens across borders.
Regular talks between interior ministers and other security officials were set in place by the Addis Ababa Agreement of September 2012, but many diplomatic mechanisms faltered earlier this year.
Last month’s presidential summit has helped to set back on track some of these exchanges. Mahmed told media at Juba International Airport this morning that his visit came as a result of the meeting of the two presidents in Khartoum last month.
“This visit is for simplification of the movement of citizens and their immigration, opening of checkpoints and all that makes it easy for their movement,” he explained.
Mahmud said the two interior ministries would discuss these matters in line with what the two presidents have agreed. He also said that things have changed now between Sudan and South Sudan.
“The spirit is now different from that of the past. We hope to fasten the steps and restore the relations as they were. And we think that Sudan and South Sudan are more close to each other than to any other African countries – we were one country and our interests are connected,” he said.
After briefing the press for less than two minutes, the Sudanese minister together with his South Sudanese counterpart Hon. Aleu Ayieny left the airport to Dembesh Hotel in Juba.