South Sudan and Sudan are considering the reopening of border crossings along their shared border corridor in an effort to kickstart trade between the two countries. With the 2,000 km corridor having been closed since 2011 due to political instability, the reopening marks a significant step towards improving trade and economic relations.
The announcement was made by Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Vice President for Service Cluster, South Sudan, during the Eid Al-Adha celebration in Juba. He noted that a committee – comprising representatives from regional neighbors including Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda – will lead discussions around the reopening.
“We want Sudan to open the border for the citizens of the two countries to move freely with their goods and services,” Abdelbagi explained.
In August 2021, the two countries looked at reopening border crossings with H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan, and Abdalla Hamdok, former Prime Minister, Sudan, targeting the reopening of four of the ten crossings along the corridor. However, this plan was scrapped due to rising tensions in Sudan. Now, with the reopening resuming, both countries can benefit from new and improved trade and commerce opportunities.
