Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Ghandour said President Omar al-Bashir’s decision to reopen the border with South Sudan would allow free movement of over 14 million people living between the two countries.

In an interview with a local newspaper in Khartoum, Ghandour said free movement of people will also revive border trade between the two Sudans.

The Sudanese official said the border was opened with trade in mind after protracted talks with Juba since December 2012.

The foreign minister said the decision came as a result of consultation at all levels including security, defense, and foreign policy committees.

Ghandour reiterated his country's readiness to find solutions to all outstanding matters pertaining to border demarcation and military forces between the two countries.