Ethiopia, South Sudan ink agreement to build highway between the two nations
Addis Ababa, May 19, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia and South Sudan inked an agreement to construct the Paloch – Mathiang – Maiwut – Pagak Road in Juba.
According to the Ethiopian Embassy in Juba, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, witnessed the signing ceremony for the construction of the highway which connects Western Ethiopia with North Eastern South Sudan.
The agreement was signed by Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and on behalf of the Republic of South Sudan, Finance Minister Dier Tong Ngor.
During the ceremony, President Kiir said, “Our hope is to move together to help one another; this is what our people want to see. This is a strategic project that connects our people and serves their needs.”
From the Ethiopian side, the State Minister of Finance Eyob Tekalign, said that the construction of this road will not only provide seamless commercial connectivity but also rectify the artificial border separation and bring the people of two sisterly countries much closer.
Dhenge Boru, Minister of State for Transport & Logistics; Mohammed Abdurahman, Ethiopian Roads Authority, General Bacha Debele, Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya, Nebil Mahdi, Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan, and various South Sudanese higher officials were in attendance.
It is stated that the signing ceremony that took place in Juba recognized the initiatives and commitments demonstrated by the heads of state of the two governments to boost bilateral cooperation between the two sisterly countries.
During the ceremony, both sides exchanged views on enhancing infrastructure development, including electricity, oil pipelines, and other components that accelerate regional economic integration.
The most anticipated construction of this road is expected to impact the economic activities of the sisterly countries as well as play a pertinent role in cementing peace in parts of the regions of both countries.