Defense Ministers from Sudan and South Sudan have accepted a map presented to them by the African Union on the extent of the safe demilitarized zone along their border.

The African Union presented the map to the two parties in September 2011. However, it’s unclear why the two states didn’t sign it immediately.

At a meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism in Addis Ababa this week, the parties signed a decision to accept the map on Wednesday.

Defense Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk signed on behalf of South Sudan while his counterpart, Awad Mohamed Ahmed, signed on behalf of Sudan.

The meeting was facilitated by the African Union High-level Implementation Panel for Sudan and South Sudan.

According to a copy of the deal seen by Eye Radio, the parties said the zone and its centerline represent only the location of the separation line between the armed forces of the two countries.

The two sides agreed to activate all the mechanisms relating to the joint political and security issues as provided for in cooperation agreements.

They will meet again in mid-November in Khartoum.