Addis Ababa, 25 April 2013: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, welcomes the successful conclusion of the first meeting of the Joint High- Level Committee established by the Framework Agreement on the Status of Nationals of the Other State and Related Matters signed on 27 September 2012 between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.

The Committee was convened by the AU High-Level Implementation Panel for Sudan and South Sudan (AUHIP) to agree on their Programme of Work and adopt their Internal Rules of Procedure.

The Chairperson of the Commission congratulates the Parties for successfully adopting their rules of procedure and embarking on the adoption of a comprehensive work programme. The work of the Joint High-Level Committee on the Status of Nationals is critical for realizing the Freedoms of the nationals of each state to move within, reside or to undertake economic activity in the other state.

The Chairperson of the Commission commends the AUHIP for its tireless efforts over the past three years to assist the Parties to address the issues of nationals in Sudan and South Sudan.

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