
The first meeting of the Ethiopia-South Sudan Joint Border Trade Committee took place last Monday in Bishoftu Town, marking a significant milestone in the efforts to expand the operation of border trade and strengthen bilateral relations.
The meeting was hailed as a critical step in evaluating the progress of the border trade protocol signed between the two nations several years ago. In this regard, the committee’s discussions focused on reinforcing bilateral trade and economic ties, fostering peace and stability in the border region, and addressing pressing challenges such as contraband and illicit trade, which pose major security risks.
It was also essential to explore potential measures to further solidify cooperation and generate new opportunities for collaboration, not just between Ethiopia and South Sudan, but also within the broader border region.
As part of its broader regional diplomatic strategy, Ethiopia has been working tirelessly to enhance its diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people relations with its neighbors, the broader African region, and globally, aiming to promote economic development and regional peace and security. Accordingly, over the years, the nation has signed numerous agreements across various sectors such as trade, industry, and military cooperation.
Recent agreements that the country has forged with nations like Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Sudan highlight Ethiopia’s commitment to fostering cooperation across key areas, improving economic growth, and addressing shared security challenges. These partnerships ultimately seek to promote mutual prosperity and create a more integrated, resilient regional framework that drives shared success.
It is an indisputable fact that one critical challenge in achieving peace and stability in border regions is smuggling and illicit trade. Such activities not only create instability within regions but also fuel organized crime that threatens national security and public safety while damaging the economies of affected countries.
Ethiopia and South Sudan are two countries that share a long border, with their peoples often engaging in unregulated cross-border transactions. Although these transactions are vital to local livelihoods, they can also contribute negatively to security concerns, economic instability, and the erosion of the rule of law, creating opportunities for unlawful trade and smuggling. Addressing these challenges requires strong frameworks and concerted efforts to curb illicit trade, promote lawful commerce, and ensure the safety and prosperity of both nations.
As Ethiopian State Minister for Trade and Regional Integration Yasmin Wuhabrebi stated at the meeting, the discussions are instrumental in addressing issues related to smuggling and illegal trade as well as strengthening the implementation of the Border Trade Protocol signed between the two countries on February 24, 2017.
In this regard, the meeting marks a pivotal move-not merely a diplomatic engagement—but a crucial step for both countries to address practical pressing challenges along their shared border: combating illicit trade, tackling peace and security issues, ensuring economic growth, and establishing a foundation for sustainable peace between the two nations.
The successful implementation of the Protocol relies on the unwavering commitment of all parties involved, making the meeting a crucial platform for identifying gaps, assessing existing challenges, and formulating solutions that will allow both nations to move forward in a collaborative and productive manner.
By addressing these issues head-on, the meeting will not only enhance bilateral trade and economic relations between Ethiopia and South Sudan but also foster deeper cooperation and promote peace and stability-particularly in the border region, which has historically been a source of tension.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH 2025