borkena, Ethiopia News
February 25,2017
Soon after South Sudan’s president Salva Kirr visited Cairo early in January of this year, rumors emerged that rift between Ethiopia and South Sudan unfolded over alleged agreement between South Sudan and Egypt that could compromise Ethiopia’s national interest which South Sudan presidency dismissed as “cheap propaganda”It is not still clear whether the rumor is untrue or whether there was a difference that is perhaps resolved now.
Salva Kiir was in Addis Ababa since last Thursday for a three days official working visit. According to Ethiopian government affiliated sources and state media the talk between Salva kiir and Hailemariam Desalegne focused on economic cooperation and “consolidation of peace and security.” And the two leaders have signed agreements and MoU in those areas.
In a report published on yesterday, Radio Tamazuj cited South Sudan’s presidential spokesperson,Ateny Wek Ateny, to report that border control and security are among issues to be discussed between Ethiopia and South Sudan. What exactly is the business of the deal in the area of security? According to Ateny, “…the security deal aims to stop hosting rebel groups in the two countries.”[adToAppearHere]
Fana Broadcasting,close to government, report didn’t disclose details of agreement in the area of security or confirm the “agreement not to host rebels.” It however reported that Salva Kirr and Hailemariam reached agreement to form joint border administration.
Hailemariam Desalegne was in Juba in October 2016 after state of emergency was declared in Ethiopia and reportedly discussed matters related to “security and peace”, among other things.
In terms of economic cooperation, Salva Kirr and Hailemariam Desalegne signed agreements, in this weeks meeting in Addis Ababa, in the energy sector according to which Ethiopia is to import oil from South Sudan and South Sudan on its part is to import electric power from Ethiopia. Further more, agreement is reached to cooperate in the area of infrastructure development in the interest of cross-border trade activities. Road construction between oil supply point in South Sudan and Ethiopia is to be paid for by the government of Ethiopia, as per Fana’s the report by Fana which cited Hailemariam Desalenge.
by Dimetros Birku
Writer could be reached on twitter : @dimetros
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