By Associated Press, Updated: Sunday, September 18, 3:35 PM
KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan’s official news agency says Sudan and its newest neighbor, breakaway South Sudan, have signed their first agreement since their split in July.
The Sudanese news agency says the accord sets out 10 crossing points between the two nations for people and goods.
( no / Associated Press ) – Sudanese minister of defence Abd Al-Rahim Mohamed Hussien, right, talks during a presser with South Sudan minister of defence John Kong Neon in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, Sept 18, 2011, shortly after Sudan and South Sudan signed a border security agreement, the first time the two neighbours signed a deal over the tense boundary since the south declared independence last July.
The deal was brokered by an African Union team headed by former South African president Thabo Mbeki. South Sudan Defense Minister John Kong flew to Khartoum to sign for his country Sunday, and Sudanese Defense Minister Gen. Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussein signed for Sudan..
The news agency said each checkpoint will be guarded by six soldiers from each side and another six from Ethiopia.
Relations between the two countries have been tense since South Sudan gained independence. Both charge that the other has violated the separation agreement.
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