South Sudan and neighboring Ethiopia have agreed to enhance border security and trade by building alternate oil infrastructure,the Ethiopia-South Sudan Oil Pipeline. The agreement was reached on July 6, 2024 by governors and administrators on the common border between South Sudan and Ethiopia during which the two sides had extensive discussions on various issues. The talks, described as “cordial and honest” by officials, focused on building consensus on shared interests through infrastructure development.
Also, the discussions, officials revealed to Sudan Tribune, were cordial in an honest manner.
Significance of the Project
The meeting is a step towards building consensus on common interests for the two countries through collaboration on physical infrastructure development to enhance trade, security, and investment. Furthermore, It further commits the two countries to work together to promote and strengthen economic cooperation to achieve economic growth and prosperity for the mutual benefit of the two countries and for this reason, several resolutions were issued after lengthy discussions.
Moreover, one of the important resolutions is the understanding reached by the two sides is the agreement on infrastructure development. it has been agreed to work together to mobilize resources to build the road connecting the state of Upper Nile, especially the Gambella-Pagak through Maiwut to Malakal-Maluth and Paloich. This is an important road. It will be used for transportation of the oil through the port of Djibouti. This means the security of the road will be coordinated and enhanced for trade and movement of people and goods between both nations.
Projects Similar to the Ethiopia-South Sudan Oil Pipeline
This was preceded by a parliamentary decision of the South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly on June 24, 2024, approving 778 million dollars for the construction of a highway project linking South Sudan with neighboring Ethiopia. The ministry said the project aims to enhance connectivity and bolster economic ties between the two neighboring countries, underscoring the growing cooperation and mutually beneficial relationship between Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Additionally, David Nyang, the minister of cabinet affairs in Upper Nile, state issued a statement commending the efforts of the governments of Ethiopia and South Sudan, saying it represents an opportunity for the two countries to consolidate peace and stability in the region through trade and economic cooperation.
It was also noted that the importance of border trade and this can be enhanced through the existence of roads and provision of security.
Nyang explained that criminal activities at the border between the two countries include human trafficking and livestock smuggling due to weak border management.
“Lastly, the meeting presents an opportunity for us to strengthen our bilateral relations and enhance border security to foster peace and stability, economic cooperation and development address humanitarian concerns, and displacement and enhance trade and investment between the two countries,” he stressed.South Sudan’s deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Semaya K. Kumba described the meeting as a milestone in bilateral relations.
Also read: Construction of the Multimillion 220-Kilometer Ethiopia-South Sudan Cross-border Road Takes Shape
