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Sudan president declares resumption of river transport with S. Sudan

Xinhua, February 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday announced resumption of river transport between Sudan's Kosti town and Juba, the capital city of South Sudan.

Al-Bashir made the announcement when addressing a gathering in Rabak town in White Nile State Thursday.

"We have a moral responsibility towards our brothers in South Sudan, despite their selection of separation," noted al-Bashir.

Last week al-Bashir ordered the opening of his country's border with South Sudan after President Salva Kiir Mayardit ordered army units to withdraw from their positions at the border with Sudan.

Sudan halted river transport with South Sudan in 2012 after the two sides traded accusations of supporting the rebel groups in each country.

In September 2012, the two parties signed a cooperation agreement in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa under the patronage of the African Union.

The agreement included a package of understandings related to security, status of citizens, oil and trade. However, the signed agreements did not tackle the issues of Abyei and border demarcation.

The border issue is the biggest obstacle to the settlement of differences between Sudan and South Sudan, revolving around five border areas. Enditem