President shakes hands with the Head of Sudan's Sovereign Council in Juba. January 13, 2023. (Photo: Office of the President).

President Salva Kiir and his Sudanese counterpart Abdel Fattah Al Burhan have renewed commitments to revive the 2012 cooperation agreement, including deploying joint security forces along the 2,000-kilometer border.

The two Heads of State met in Juba on Thursday.

They discussed the issue of Abyei and a number of provisions including the freedom of movement, residence, acquisition of property, and employment for all citizens of the two countries.

Kiir and Al-Burhan called for the review and operationalization of all technical mechanisms related to the four freedoms within one month.

In a statement obtained by Eye Radio, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the two leaders have recognized that the provisions are essential for the countries’ stability.

They also emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and security along the borders to promote peace and prosperity between thei countries.

“The Heads of State…agreed to establish Joint Security Force to prevent the infiltration of illegal weapons and to combat negative forces and their activities along the common border,” reads the statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Kiir and Alburhan further agreed to establish a Joint Security Force to prevent the infiltration of illegal weapons and to combat negative forces and their activities along the common borders.

They said border security is their top priority, and stressed that instability or insecurity within one country can spill across the borders.

The two Presidents further called upon the mechanisms to convene meetings as agreed upon a meeting, held in Khartoum in October last year.

The 2012 Cooperation Agreement

Immediately after the end of the Heglig war in September 2012, Sudan and South Sudan signed a cooperation agreement mediated by the African Union and then Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Haile Mariam Dessalegne.

The agreement reaffirmed commitment of the two governments to the principles of building two viable states, in which peace, welfare and prosperity of their people should be secured.

It was noted in the agreement that Sudan and South Sudan “share a long and rich common heritage and are bound by the immutable facts of geography to remain interdependent neighbors.”

The agreement came up with five principals of cooperation including establishing Sudan and Sudan as two viable states, secure and at peace with each other and their neighbors.

It also also vowed to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensure full implementation of several border security agreements signed between 2010 and 2012.

The parties further committed themselves to implement the agreements on; Oil and Economy-related Matters, Framework Agreement on the Status of Nationals of the Other State, and Agreement on Border Demarcation among others.