South Sudan and Kenya strengthen cooperation on border security and migration

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

The governments of South Sudan and Kenya have agreed to strengthen joint cooperation In the areas of border security and migration management, high-level talks were held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, as part of efforts to support regional security and facilitate the movement of people and trade between the two countries.

This came during a meeting between the Minister of Interior of South Sudan, Lieutenant General Aleu Ayieny Aleu, and the Kenyan Minister of Interior and National Administration, Onysemose Kipchumba Murkumba, where each of them headed his country’s delegation to discuss a number of security and development files of common interest.

Enhancing coordination in border management

The talks focused on strengthening coordination in managing shared borders, developing the immigration system, and facilitating the safe and orderly movement of people and goods, in order to support trade and enhance opportunities for development and regional integration.

The two ministers stressed the importance of raising the level of cooperation between the relevant agencies in the two countries, and exchanging experiences and information in a way that contributes to strengthening border security and confronting common challenges, in addition to supporting stability in the East African region.

Both sides also praised the strength of the historical relations between South Sudan and Kenya, which are based on trade and cultural ties and political cooperation, stressing the two countries’ keenness to continue developing the bilateral partnership in a way that achieves the common interests of their peoples.

These talks come within the framework of the two countries’ efforts to deepen cross-border cooperation, enhance regional security and stability, and open new horizons for cooperation in various priority areas.

Rehabilitation of the Juba-Nimule Expressway

In another context, the government of South Sudan discussed options for financing the rehabilitation of the Juba-Nimule highway, which is the country’s main trade artery, linking it to Uganda and East African countries, in light of its deteriorating condition and the impact this has on trade and transportation.

This came during a high-level meeting that brought together leaders from the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, and the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), where officials discussed ways to provide the necessary resources to carry out urgent road rehabilitation work.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Kuol Daniel Ayuel, and the Minister of Roads and Bridges, Peter Lam Both, in the presence of the Commissioner General of the Revenue Authority, Ambassador Mun Deng Aguet, with the aim of developing a common vision on appropriate financing mechanisms for the project.