By Bida Elly David
The Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs said the governments of South Sudan and Ethiopia have agreed to establish passport and immigration offices at their common border to enable facilitation and movement of citizens of the two Countries as well as pave ways to boost trade through quick exports and imports.
He disclosed this statement during a meeting with the President of the Republic of South Sudan H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit regarding his visit to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia and South Sudan have had long historical bilateral ties with the two nations fostering beneficial socio-economic and diplomatic relations in comprehensive areas of peace and security.
The two countries have been supporting each other in both regional as well as global affairs.
Recently, President Salva Kiir Mayardit was awarded with an honorary doctorate in peace and security sector which symbolized that the two Countries bear an intimacy in various areas.
President Kiir has delegated Tut Gatluak and his accompanying team to Addis Ababa to discuss matters concerning bilateral relations between the two Countries in areas of security and regional matters.
Speaking to the media after the meeting to brief the President about the mission to Addis, Tut told President Kiir that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on border security management and movement of citizens.
“The meeting in Addis Ababa led to the signing of the memorandum of understanding on the areas of cooperation in the aspects of security between the two Countries,” Tut told the media.
“We have also agreed with the Ethiopian government to open immigration and passport offices at the common borders to facilitate movement of citizens and goods to boost economic activities to the next level,” he added.
Tut reiterated that the Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed commended President Salva Kiir Mayardit for having played a bigger role towards maintaining the affirmative relationship between the two countries and showed his commitment towards strengthening bilateral ties with South Sudan in various areas.
The National Security Affairs’ Presidential Advisor stated that they discussed ways through which the economic and political sectors of the two countries could be improved to enable quick development of the two nations.
At the same note, he underscored Ethiopian’s efforts towards aiding the Country to implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement through the peace roadmap to enable the Country transit from war to peace.