Cross-border trade has resumed between Sudan’s East Darfur state and South Sudan’s border states, to the satisfaction of a number of traders and citizens, following the first steps of the implementation of a recent cooperation agreement.

Trading between the town of al-Daein in East Darfur and the South Sudanese towns of Gok-Machar, Aweil and Raja has entered its ninth day, prompting support from citizens who spoke to Radio Tamazuj in Northern and Western Bahr el–Ghazal states.

Zubeir Mirghani, the chairperson for the East Darfur Chamber of Commerce claimed yesterday from al-Daein, that approximately 30 vehicles loaded with goods and food supplies are travelling daily to Gok-Machar, Aweil , Raja and other towns in South Sudan.

East Darfur state authorities, including police, the chamber of commerce and civil administrators all met recently to agree upon the need for and conditions of cross-border trade.

This followed the signing of a matrix last month which outlined the implementation of the recent cooperation agreement between the two nations.  Mirghani described the move as a fruitful step for the people of East Darfur.

“Every day there are more than 30 vehicles loaded with goods including Sorghum, cold drinks, onions, flour, and sugar to South Sudan. All the traders of eastern Darfur are very happy with the move and we are appreciating our brothers in South Sudan, and we wish this to be a blessed beginning. The border is normal according to our expectations. The trade activity is fresh now in eastern Darfur and the process is continuing,” Mirgani confirmed.

Tensions along the border have been high since independence in 2011 but this was particularly the case when South Sudan halted oil production early last year over a fees dispute.  The cooperation agreement, signed in September last year called for the demilitarisation of the border region and resumption of cross-border trade but this was not implemented until the signing of the matrix last month.

Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, is visiting  his southern counterpart, Salva Kiir, in Juba today for the first time since independence in 2011, a move largely seen as an indicator of greater cooperation between the neighbours.