Eritrea and Sudan Signs Agreement on Education

Presidents of Sudan and Eritrea: left, Omar Hassan al-Bashir and Isasias Afwerki. The two countries have signed bi-lateral agreements., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Sudan: Eritrea, Country Sign Agreement On Educational Cooperation

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
31 May 2012

Khartoum — Eritrea and neighbouring Sudan have signed a framework agreement on working together on strengthening educational links and related fields, according to Eritrean state media.

The Eritrean Ministry of Education and the Sudanese Ministry of Higher Studies and Research signed the agreement in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, last week.

The accord follows a visit to by a Sudanese delegation led by Khemis Kajo Kunda, Minister of Higher Studies and Research, to take part in the 21st Eritrean Independence Day anniversary celebrations.

The new partnership, according to Shabait, will allow both sides to extend their future collaboration in higher education and to explore possible areas of joint cooperation in other related educational fields.

The contents of the agreement pertain to developing the capacity of higher education institutions and establishing ties between higher education institutions in both countries.

The two sides will further undertake various joint scientific research projects, exchanging experience regarding the entire education system, policy and human resource development.

The declaration also encourages introducing modern education facilities and the exchange of scholarship opportunities on the part of both countries.

Semere Rusom, the Eritrean minister of education and Kunda signed the agreement.

It was noted during the occasion that the accord will play a crucial role in boosting the capacity of education sectors of the two nations.

Executive directors of higher education on both sides have consulted and exchanged ideas on management experience, limitations and remedial mechanisms.

Relations between Asmara and Khartoum have been improving. On 24 May the leaders of both countries met in Asmara to discuss relations.

Eritrea, like Sudan, is a pariah state subject to sanctions and accused of heinous human rights violations. How cosying up to Asmara will affect Khartoum's relationship with their mutual neighbour, Ethiopia, is yet to be seen. After years of civil war, the relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia remains acrimonious.