By Bida Elly David
The Presidential Adviser on National Security Affairs upon his arrival from Khartoum over the weekend said that South Sudan and Sudan have finished launching the initiative of River-Transport meant to strengthen bilateral trade between the two countries.
This development came during a meeting with Salva Kiir Mayardit on the exhibition of the outcomes after their recent assignment to Sudan to witness the Official re-opening of the Strategic river transport between South Sudan and Sudan which has been closed for eleven years due to border disputes in 2012.
The meeting was attended by the Minster of Presidential Affairs Dr. Barnabas Marial Benjamin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mayiik Ayii Deng and the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mayen Dut Wol.
Speaking during the meeting with President Kiir, Tut Gatluak Manime said that the launch for the reopening of the River-Transport was completed for easy trading.
“When we travelled from here upon being tasked by the President of the Republic of South Sudan, we were highly welcomed by the Sudanese government especially the President of the Republic of Sudan. During our meeting, we discussed ways through which the two sisterly countries should strengthen their relations amid trade and political areas. The re-opening of the River Transport was successfully launched as initiated by the leadership of the two sisterly countries to foster free trade and movement of the people either being from South Sudan to Sudan or Sudan to South Sudan’’ he said.
Furthermore, Gatluak reiterated that shipping of the first batch of food consignment for the unified forces was underway.
“In our discussions, we have also accomplished the process through which the shipping consignment for the food of the unified forces should be done with immediate departure. That means as soon as the shipping consignment is done, departure for the food that would be transported to support the unified forces would be run’’ Tut reiterated.
At the same juncture, Tut echoed that the Sudanese government had showed commitment to collaborate with the government of South Sudan towards bilateral trade and political ties and willing to ensure free movement of people from the two countries without draw backs.
“The government of the Republic of the Sudan has agreed to join hands towards promoting economic ties with South Sudan. Trading activity was one of the elements the government of Sudan has promised to improve’’ he said.
However, Tut said that the launch of the River Transport would enhance easy movement of goods and passengers from Sudan to South Sudan without any prejudice.
The President of the Republic of South Sudan appreciated Tut Gatluak and the team for having carried a positive initiative to link the two countries.