Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn says his country will not accept an armed struggle or “anyone who opts for the path of war” in South Sudan.

PM Hailemariam Desalegn says South Sudan and Ethiopia will work together to secure their borders through military cooperation.

“We will not support armed struggle groups or anyone who opt for a path of war. Both of us will not allow any armed movement which is detracting our peace in our region,” the Premier told the media at the State House, adding that Ethiopia will continue to support the peace agreement by ensuring no group distracts its implementation.

Accompanied by a high-level Ethiopian delegation this morning, Desalegn and President Salva Kiir oversaw the signing of several MoUs on trade, investment, and infrastructure developments.

For his part, President Salva Kiir said the two countries will develop the road infrastructure to facilitate trade and security.

“The road will be open so that Ethiopian goods come here by land,” President Kiir stressed.

“Instead of going far places to buy [oil], they will get it from South Sudan, especially now that we are going to build our refinery.”