ADDIS ABABA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia and the world's newest nation South Sudan plan to join forces to fight insecurity at their common border.
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Monday James Morgan, South Sudan Ambassador to Ethiopia says the two countries have been suffering from raiders that have killed and abducted civilians.
Although South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 from Sudan less than three years later it plunged into a civil war pitting forces broadly loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir against those of his Ex-Deputy Riek Machar.
The insecurity has affected bordering communities in Ethiopia with raiders from South Sudan crossing the border, killing dozens and abducting dozens more in 2016 and early 2017.
"For now our joint work is restricted to apprehending criminals that are creating havoc on our common border but in the future there are plans for a more formalized military pact," says Morgan.
"Both countries have partnered in construction, capacity building and medical sectors, and when law and order is restored in our common border we plan joint road and oil pipeline Projects," he added.
With road links interrupted by fighting in South Sudan, Ethiopian Airlines twice weekly flights to South Sudan capital Juba is the main remaining infrastructure link between the two nations.
