Sudan, South Sudan Resume Talks Over Post-secession in Juba

Khartoum - The Republic of Sudan and State of South Sudan will resume today in Juba talks on borders and the disputed Abyei region.
Ministers of defense, interior and foreign affairs in addition to directors of intelligence service and chiefs of staff in the two counties will participate in the talks.
According to an agreement concluded last month in Khartoum, it was agreed that talks on these issues should be resumed within one month.
It is expected that new attempts between Khartoum and Juba will be made in Juba through the joint political mechanism for discussing border issues. It is also expected that the two countries would reach an understandings on the issues subject of the talks.
Sources at the ministries of defense and foreign affairs would not confirm or deny the holding of the talks today; however, they have affirmed that an agreement was reached last month in Khartoum for resuming talks between the two countries on the 18 th of the current month.
Meantime, the Ministry of General Education has signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Education and Technology in the State of South Sudan.
The agreement covers Sudanese Certificate Examination, teacher training and curricula printing.
The Minister of General Education, Dr. Farah Mustafa, has signed on behalf of the Sudanese government while Minister of Education  and Technology at the State of   South Sudan, Dr. Joseph Okello, has signed on behalf of the government of  South Sudan.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mustafa said South Sudan government delegation has submitted a request for cooperation in many fields, a request that has been accepted at the highest levels of the Republic of Sudan, particularly with respect to the matter of Sudan Certificate Examinations.
He added that the creation of the State of South Sudan has led to the transfer of some Southern Sudanese students while some other remained. He said contacts have not been stopped and that they at the ministry will start the implementation of the memorandum immediately and simultaneously with the government of the State of South Sudan.
The minister added the agreement will continue for three years subject to renewal upon the consent of both parties and that the execution of examination program will take place in the State of South Sudan exclusively and not in the Republic of Sudan and at sites to be designated by the State of South Sudan.
The minister added with respect to those Southern Sudanese students who have not left for their country their cases will be reviewed as and when the situation requires so, since there are decisions regarding this matter which should be respected.
As regards teachers who are citizens of the Republic of Sudan who live in the State of South Sudan, their cases will be adjusted in the forthcoming period.
On his part, Dr. Joseph Okello said they will comply with the implementation of the clauses of the agreement in a broader way.
"We were apprehensive that there would be not examinations in the State of South Sudan since we were not yet fully prepared, however, we have received all materials relating to the examinations of this year" the minister said.
He added coordination with government of the Republic of Sudan will continue throughout the agreement period and that the Government of the State of South Sudan was committed to hold the examination for Southern Sudanese students, correct exams papers and issue the certificates.