Many differences with Khartoum

Caption Khartoum - Abed Algayom Ashmeag     The Information Minister of South Sudan Barnaba Marial Benjamin has said that his country is keen to establish strong ties with neighbouring Sudan, pointing out that Khartoum and Juba have good relations despite the division and there were more than simply differences between the two neighbours. In an exclusive interview with 'Arabstoday',  Benjamin said: “South Sudan is a new country that needs support for its development,” denying that his country’s relations with Israel threatened Sudan’s national security. He highlighted that the Juba-Tel Aviv relations were based on common interests. Regarding the pending issues between Khartoum and Juba, like the oil crisis, Benjamin said that since the independence of South Sudan, Khartoum has been trying to "show something while seeking to achieve something else". About Sudanese citizens in South Sudan, the Ministry of Information said that Juba welcomed them in the South, and that it would seek to solve their problems as well as protect them. However, Benjamin pointed out that Khartoum has set a nine-month period for South Sudan citizens to leave its territory. Addressing Juba’s strong relations with Tel Aviv, following the US statement about lifting the ban on South Sudan's army supplies which drew criticism from Sudan, Benjamin said that relations with Israel and the US were based on mutual interests, stressing that Juba would never harm Khartoum as it wanted to maintain good relations with its neighbour. Regarding tribal clashes in South Sudan's Jonglei State which led to thousands being displaced, the Minister stated that the government will launch a campaign to disarm citizens. Benjamin concluded the interview by saying his country was willing to start new sessions of dialogue with Khartoum in Addis Ababa to end the oil crisis.