ADDIS ABABA-The financial agreement enabling Ethiopia to construct South Sudan’s section of the cross-border road project is receiving support from both sides, Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan Nebil Mahdi said. Ethiopia has agreed to cover the cost of the road project, while South Sudan will supply unrefined oil to its neighbor.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Ambassador Nebil indicated the South Sudanese parliament has ratified the road project emphasizing that the agreement must also be approved by Ethiopian lawmakers. “Ethiopian parliamentarians are knowledgeable about the accord, so it is expected to be jointly and fully ratified shortly.”
Ethiopia has already completed the construction of three roads connecting with South Sudan, and similar projects are planned within South Sudan’s territory. Recognizing South Sudan’s current situation, Ethiopia agreed to cover the road construction costs in exchange for South Sudan’s supply of unrefined oil.
According to the ambassador, the lack of sufficient roads, checkpoints, border security, and immigration services has been challenging for both sides. Ratifying the project implementation is crucial for enhancing integration between the two countries.
The Ethiopian government is committed to resolving African problems with African solutions. Given the difficulties South Sudan faces in constructing such road projects, Ethiopia agreed to cover the costs. In return, South Sudan will supply unrefined oil, he explained.
“Ethiopia does not have surplus financial resources to fund other countries. However, integration between countries requires such decisions,” Ambassador Nebil emphasized.
The cross-border road construction aims to facilitate the free movement of traders and manage illegal activities affecting border residents of both countries.
The diplomat further stated that South Sudanese border administrators and regional authorities discussed border issues in early July. “The meeting was the first of its kind and successful.”
The border areas have been problematic for both countries, with issues such as insecurity, child kidnapping, armed looting, illegal mining, and arms trafficking. The discussion between the two sides is critical for finding solutions to these problems. An agreement aimed at collaborating on pacifying the border areas has also been reached and signed. The implementation of the agreement will be jointly evaluated.
Security and public service institutions, such as police, defense forces, and immigration, will be established to manage border security and development issues. Currently, about 14 lines are being used as cross-border roads, but 13 of these roads are illegal. Thus, it is necessary to legalize the illegal ones, he remarked.
Information obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (MoFA) indicated that the two countries signed a 738 million USD financial agreement in May 2023 to build a 220 km road. South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly’s (TNLA) unanimously approved the agreement to build a cross-border highway and it will now be submitted to President Salva Kiir for final authorization, it was stated.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 13 JULY 2024
