S. Sudan opts for diplomacy with Sudan over border closure: official

South Sudan will seek to iron out its contentious border issue with Sudan through diplomatic channels after the latter closed its border at the East Upper Nile state in March, accusing Juba of supporting rebels on its territory, a government official said on Friday.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mawien Makol said the two countries' foreign ministers will discuss the border closure, but did not disclose the timeframe.

"The government of South Sudan through foreign affairs ministry is working towards scheduling a meeting that will host the officials of Sudan to iron out the border dispute," Makol told Xinhua in an interview in Juba.

The East Upper Nile border with Sudan has been closed for the last two weeks and Juba is expected to respond through the Joint Monitoring and Security Committee under the signed 2012 Cooperation Agreements between the two-former civil war foes that call for among demarcation of the borders, post-secession financial settlements and oil-pipeline arrangement fees and payments.

"In South Sudan we are still committed to discuss border issues with Sudan in the forum established under the 2012 Cooperation Agreement between the two countries," Makol said.

"We need the relations between the two countries to continue smoothly. That is why South Sudan is seeking this through an official forum for discussion with Sudan," he stressed.

He further called on his Sudan counterparts to desist from addressing critical diplomatic differences through the media like the latest outburst over allegations of rebel support in Sudan territory by Juba.

Juba has on several occasions denied supporting Sudanese rebels seeking to oust the Khartoum regime, despite having fought for its independence alongside the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North fighters.

"This has been said over and over, but our position is clear; we don't support any rebels fighting there," Makol said. Enditem