South Sudan |
Sudan |
Bilateral relations between South Sudan and Sudan were officially started on 9 July, 2011 following the former's independence from the latter. However, relations between the two states date further back to the war between the two regions as well as cultural contacts with large amounts of Southern Sudanese working in Sudan and economic relations bound largely by oil. Sudan became the first country in the world to recognise the independence of South Sudan.
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Abyei is administered by Sudan, but also claimed by South Sudan. Abyei was supposed to have a referendum to determine what country it would go to, but has been put off pending discussion of disputes.
Kafia Kingi is adminstered by South Sudan, but also claimed by Sudan. Kafia Kingi was part of South Sudan as per the 1956 boundary; whereas Sudan claims the 1960 boundary.
Sudan became the first country in the world to recognise South Sudan as a sovereign state and said it intended to open an embassy in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. On the occasion of South Sudan's independence President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir spoke to the delegation present for independence celebrations saying that he "congratulate[s] our brothers and sisters in South Sudan on the occasion of the declaration of their new state and the creation of the State of South Sudan in this dear part of our homeland." He also added that relations between the two can and must be fostered:[1]
The gains we have made during the previous years that were achieved through a common belief on peace and mutual respect and the implementation of Comprehensive Peace Agreement require that we should protect them through the following:
Firstly, through sustainable peace;
Secondly, through establishing positive and distinguished neighbourly relations;
Thirdly, through common interests by exchanging economic and trade benefits;
Fourthly, through preserving the psychological, emotional and social relations between the two peoples.
Cultural relations between the two states have, in the past, been a source of conflict; the North's population is predominantly Muslim, whilst the South has a larger proportion of Christian and ethnically African and animist peoples.
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