The agreement reached on Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has been welcomed by the African Union’s high level implementation panel (AUHIP).
The two governments also reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement signed on June 30 between the government of Sudan and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.
The agreement covers the establishment of a Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) to oversee security of the common border between the two states.
It is the first of its kind since South Sudan became an independent nation on July 9, although there are still a number of issues yet to be settled between the two sides.
“Providing security along the border is a matter of particular importance and urgency,” AUHIP said in a statement on Monday.
“The AUHIP is confident that the mechanisms provided for in this agreement, including third party monitoring and verification, will contribute towards the construction of peaceful relations between the two states.”
The two Sudans still need to agree on border demarcation, oil pipeline utilisation and other economic issues, mainly concerning the disputed Abyei region.
Abyei is currently being monitored by an Ethiopian peacekeeping force until the two sides agree on its future.
The 4,200 Ethiopian peacekeeping force will remain in Abyei for six months as mandated by the UN Security Council.
“The AUHIP will continue to support the two states in implementing this agreement and in their efforts to complete negotiations on a range of issues that will support their mutual viability,” AUHIP added.
Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to convene the first meeting of the JPSM on August 17 in Khartoum, north Sudan.
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