Khartoum, Juba agree to new cooperative mechanisms

The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to set up fresh joint mechanisms to put in place a previously concluded cooperative agreement stalled due to ongoing unrest in South Sudan. Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan and Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan announced the agreement during a joint press conference following their meeting held here on Saturday. Al-Bashir said he and Mayardit had reiterated resolve to maintain security and stability in South Sudan in line with relevant agreements. He said the South Sudanese leader's Khartoum visit was part of continuing consultations between both countries' leaders over a further promotion and development of bilateral cooperative relations. On his part, Mayardit said he had agreed with the Sudanese leader to form new mechanisms for carrying out joint cooperation deals which were delayed owing to ongoing security tensions in South Sudan. Mayardit thanked the president and people of Sudan for hosting as many as 30,000 southern refugees who have escaped violence in their country. President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit arrived here earlier in the day on a one-day visit for talks with President Omar Al-Bashir on bilateral relations. The last time both leaders met was in January when Bashir visited Juba. Both countries have suffered from instability and sporadic violence since they split in 2011.