South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit. [Gurtong/ File]
By Waakhe Simon Wudu
JUBA – 13 May [Gurtong] - The government spokesman, Information Minister Dr Barnaba Marial told the press that the move was reached at during a meeting chaired by the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his Vice Dr Riek Macher on Friday.
“The Council of Ministers has approved the official map of the Republic of South Sudan as it stood within its border of 1-1-1956”, Dr Marial said, adding that the map includes all indigenous names of places within South Sudan.
Controversy has been brewing over border demarcation between South Sudan and Sudan since the historic break away of South Sudan last July and has remained a source of conflict between the two countries.
Despite six years of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 the two governments are yet to resolve the border demarcation issue.
This is one of the post- secession issues besides oil, Abyei and citizenship among others coupled with recent military incursions into South Sudan by the Sudan Armed Forces.
In a related development, Dr Marial announced that the ministers have also resolved to form a technical committee to start preparations for the country’s independence celebration due to take place in July.
He said the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning was appointed to head the committee under the assistance of the Vice President Dr Riek Machar.