Demilitarization of South Sudan-Sudan border area 'on track' - Defence Minister

The Minister of defence says progress is being made in demilitarizing the South Sudan – Sudan border, in accordance with security arrangements spelled out in the 2012 corporation agreements signed between the two countries.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Miraya, Kuol Manyang Juk says the SPLA have withdrawn up to 10kms away from the border areas since the last border meeting held three months ago. 

“We have moved our forces ten to fifteen kilometers some even twenty kilometers from where they were,” he said. 

Kuol Manyang says Juba and Khartoum are working on reopening eleven crossing points for movement of people and trade, but will start with four.

He says the next meeting will be held in Khartoum early next month to discuss the progress. 

The Defense Minister says in addition to joint border patrols, forces of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei – or UNISFA will patrol specific areas by air and land to ensure compliance.

He spoke to Abraham Malek in this interview.