Sudan, South Sudan security deal ends long conflict: S. Sudan pres.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir says that the recent border security agreement reached between the two Sudans will end long-time conflict between the two countries.

“Today is a great day in the history of our region, and in particular Sudan and South Sudan, as we witness the signing of the cooperation agreement that brings to an end the long conflict between our two countries,” the South Sudan leader said on Thursday.

After days of talks, Sudan and South Sudan signed a set of agreements in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The deal includes issues related to oil exports, allowing Juba to resume its crude sales, using Khartoum’s pipelines.

However, a number of border zones issues, including the ownership of the oil-rich Abyei region, still remain unresolved between the two neighbors.

The two sides agreed on a demilitarized border buffer zone. Under the deal, troops must withdraw ten kilometers from the de facto line of control along the border.

The UN Security Council has called for a quick demilitarization of the border zone, with the UN chief, Ban Ki-moon, urging both leaders to put an end to their disputes “so that their summit concludes with a success that marks an end to the era of conflict.”

The neighbors are trying to revive their economies after coming close to all-out war along a disputed frontier in April.