Authorities in Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to officially open their border crossings on October 1, a South Sudanese official disclosed.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, the presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak Manime said preparations are currently underway to open border crossings between the two countries for regular traffic flow and trade.

He said seven border crossings, including river transport at Joda, a border point between Sudan’s White Nile state and south Sudan’s Upper Nile state will open.

“Preparations are complete so that on Friday, God willing, the seven border crossings will be officially opened. The security teams on both sides of the two countries are on the ground already”, explained Manime.

The border between the two countries was closed in 2011 when relations deteriorated after South Sudan seceded. Khartoum at the time blamed South Sudan for supporting the SPLA-North rebels in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile region.

Observers say opening of border crossings will ease movement of goods and people.

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By: Sudan Tribune