Sennar state’s governor, Ahmed Abbas, has confirmed that stability and calm have returned to his state, including along the borders with South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Speaking to SUNA media forum on Tuesday, Abbas said that their border with Ethiopia has enjoyed stability since 2008 after resolving all issues that had been obstructing friendly relations between the two countries.

Noting Sudan and Ethiopia’s cooperation in the fields of trade, agriculture and information, he added that the same stability has now been built on the border with South Sudan.

He claimed that the ongoing stability in relations with South Sudan will depend on continued political engagement between Juba and Khartoum and indicated that border demarcation between them will be complete by July.

Abbas, however, also announced new developmental projects in his state including the provision of potable water for human use to 98% of the state as well as the provision of water pipes covering over 3000km in order to reach villages that previously depended on boreholes.

He stressed the state government’s commitment to improving and providing more medical services and confirmed that there are now 27 hospitals and health centres in the state.

With regard to education, the governor claimed that 33,901 pupils were enrolled in the state’s primary schools in 2012.

Sennar state has witnessed considerable instability in recent years due in part to its position on the border with South Sudan.  However, its proximity to the ongoing conflicts in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states mean that it has suffered significant population movement as well as economic hardship given the halting of cross-border trade last year with South Sudan.