By John Ikani
The leaders of South Sudan and Sudan have agreed to establish a joint security force to combat illegal weapons and “negative forces and activities” along their shared border.
The agreement followed a meeting between President Salva Kiir of South Sudan and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of Sudan in the South Sudanese capital of Juba where the two leaders discussed the importance of maintaining stability and security for the benefit of both nations.
In a joint statement, the leaders emphasized their commitment to promoting peace and prosperity through the establishment of the new security force.
The joint security force will not only work to prevent the infiltration of illegal weapons, but will also include regular meetings between the national security forces of both countries to share intelligence and coordinate actions against potential threats.
“The security of South Sudan and Sudan is our top priority,” the statement read.
“As the two countries are closely intertwined, instability or insecurity within one country can spill across the borders.”
The leaders acknowledged that consolidating internal peace within their countries is the responsibility of their national security forces, but emphasized that a bilateral approach can help effectively address internal security issues.
“We are confident that we can address these security challenges internally, while continuing to engage with the region as necessary,” the statement concluded.
The move towards collaboration is being hailed as a significant step towards peace and stability for the region.
It is expected to strengthen the relations between the two countries and to foster a peaceful coexistence.
