As part of efforts to normalize communications, trade and relations, between the two neighbouring countries, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has recently ordered the re-opening of the border with South Sudan for the first time, since the secession of 2011.
According to the Sudanese state news agency SUNA, President Bashir charged the “relevant authorities” with taking “all measures required implementing this decision on the ground.”
Sudan closed its border with the South Sudan in June 2011, one month before the formal declaration of independence.
At the declaration of independence in 2011, S. Sudanese government agreed to pay transit fees to Sudan for sending their oil through Sudanese pipelines and facilities.
Last week, Bashir agreed to review those fees after Juba asserted the transit costs were too high. Sudanese President Salva Kiir responded by ordering his army to withdraw from border with Sudan to 5 miles [8km].
President Kiir disclosed that he had dispatched a personal special envoy to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, to convey to President al-Bashir his desire to normalise ties with Sudan
Last November the two countries agreed to reactivate the safe border demilitarized zone agreed on 27 September 2012 and to deploy the UNISFA supported joint monitoring force.
