South Sudan, Ethiopia Step Up Efforts to End Illegal Border Trade Along Greater Pibor Border
By Patricia John
South Sudan and Ethiopia have reaffirmed their commitment to ending illegal cross-border trade by accelerating the implementation of the Border Trade Protocol, a move aimed at strengthening legal trade, enhancing border security, and creating greater economic opportunities for communities along the shared border.
The commitment was reached during high-level bilateral talks between a South Sudanese delegation led by the Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, H.E. Gola Boyoi Gola, and officials from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration.
The South Sudanese delegation included the Deputy Minister of Information, Hon. David Yau Yau, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, including Ambassador William Wani.
The discussions focused on improving bilateral trade relations, strengthening border security, and enhancing the performance of formal border trade between the two neighboring countries.
Recognizing the longstanding friendship between South Sudan and Ethiopia, both sides acknowledged the significant untapped potential for economic cooperation. They stressed that effective implementation of the Border Trade Protocol would help transform cross-border commerce by promoting legal trade while discouraging illicit economic activities.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, H.E. Dr. Kassahun Gofe Balami, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to enforcing the Border Trade Protocol. He said Ethiopia would undertake the necessary legal and administrative measures to ensure its effective implementation, including improving access to essential services for border communities.
The two sides also agreed that addressing illegal border trade is essential to creating a stable and predictable trading environment that benefits both countries. They pledged to strengthen cooperation to ensure that cross-border business is conducted through legal and regulated channels.
As part of the agreement, South Sudan and Ethiopia committed to expanding implementation of the Border Trade Protocol to the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and to working together on initiatives that promote sustainable economic growth, regional integration, and shared prosperity for communities living along the border.
The meeting marks another step in the growing economic partnership between South Sudan and Ethiopia, with both governments expressing confidence that stronger border governance and formalized trade will contribute to long-term development and improved livelihoods on both sides of the border.
