Ethiopia, S. Sudan succeed in preventing crimes along common boundaries

Gambella, August 17 (WIC) –The agreement reached between Ethiopia and South Sudan to prevent crimes and ensure security along common boundaries has become fruitful, according to Security and Administration Bureau of the Gambella Regional State.

Bureau Head, Gorden Kong, told journalists here recently the two sides were able to control incidents of cross-border attacks from South Sudan into Ethiopia and vice versa.

The regional state has taken measures on anti-peace group who tried to carry out attack on residents and destroy public property crossing into west Ethiopia from South Sudan, he said.

Some 15 members of the group were killed in a fire exchange between special police force of the regional state and members of the group at a place called pulliyet, a border area between the two countries.

The group has been disturbing the boat transport between the two countries as well as development activities of the region since last April.

According to Gorden, the group crossed to the region to escape a disarmament campaign by the government of South Sudan.

As part of the efforts to ensure durable peace in both sides of the two countries, the regional police force arrested and extradited 5 gunmen to the government of South Sudan last May.

Similarly, some 15 gunmen who are behind the attack occurred recently in Gambella Regional State were extradited to the government of Ethiopia by South Sudan, he said.

According to Gorden, durable peace has existed along the common boundaries of the two countries following the joint efforts carried out as per the agreement.