African Union backs Sudan and South Sudan agreement   Khartoum – Abdelagoum Ashmeag Civilians attend celebrations to mark the first anniversary of South Sudan\'s independence. The new Commissioner of the African Union, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma welcomed the step taken by Sudan and South Sudan’s Parliaments to ratify a new economic agreement.
Dr Zuma said the establishment of a demilitarised  zone and the use of controlling mechanisms along the borders will enhance stability between the two regions as well as reducing tension.
The African Union will fully support the agreement to resolve any outstanding issues, added Dr Zuma.
“This ratification is an important step towards applying the agreement which will resume the economic activities between the two countries and shall re-produce and export the
South\'s oil, as well as opening the border between them in order to facilitate the movement of trade, economic activities and the movement of citizens between the two  countries,” said newly appointed commissioner Dr Zuma, who took over from Dr Jean Benq.
The governor of South Kordofan, Ahmed Haroun, said: “The agreement includes economic, security, trade and political issues, which is considered a step towards restoring the peace
process over the conflict, which erupted since the independence between the north and south. The agreement also reflects the common interest of the two peoples to live in peace,
security and stability.”
The governor of eastern Darfur, Major General Mohammed Fadlallah Hamed, emphasised the most achievement of this agreement was to defuse the crisis between the Rizeigat and Dinka
Ngok tribes on the borders to ensure a peaceful coexistence between them. “We have to give a chance for future generations to coexist with each other in peace and to overcome this conflict,” he added.
The Sudanese government recently decided to stop trade and commodity exchange with the South following tensions.
The governor of the Sennar state, Ahmed Abbas, said that the agreement will greatly benefit his state. Hundreds of people from the south have moved to Sennar to work in agricultural projects and
participated in harvesting the agricultural crops following the opening of the border,
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union will meet in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on October 24 to discuss the currency between the two countries to implement
the road map drawn by the African Union in April and the UN Security Council’s resolution No 2046, issued in May.
Civilians also attended celebrations to mark the first anniversary of South Sudan\'s independence.