KHARTOUM, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese army said Tuesday that the security deal between Khartoum and Juba is progressing well and that the two sides are fully committed to the agreement.
"The two sides are working closely together to implement the deal with its three components including breaking the link between South Sudan's army and the 9th and 10th infantry divisions at Blue Nile and South Kordofan areas, stopping the support and shelter for all rebel movements, and demarcating the joint border," Al- Sawarmy Khalid Saad, Sudanese army spokesman, told Xinhua.
He acknowledged that challenges and barriers remain, including armed rebels in both countries and security violations.
Saad reiterated that the security deal remains the sole guarantee and the main gate for the implementation of all the agreements, noting "the cooperation agreement with South Sudan does not mean opening the trade and border, but there is need to stress that the standing trade should be on bases and regulations that observe the interests of the two countries."
On March 8, Khartoum and Juba agreed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to implement cooperation and security arrangements reached there last September.
The two sides then started withdrawing their forces from the joint border prior to establishing a demilitarized zone as a practical step, and they further agreed to resume South Sudan's oil exportation through Sudan's pipeline in two weeks' time.
In January 2012, South Sudan decided to halt its oil pumping and exportation via Sudan's pipeline after Khartoum reportedly deducted some crude oil for what it said due to fee issue.
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