Elvince Joshua
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. President Salva Kiir and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr Abiy Ahmed, held bilateral talks on the prospects for trade and regional peace.
Kiir left Juba for Addis Ababa yesterday for a one-day official visit.
According to the office of prime minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, the two leaders also discussed security and infrastructural development between the two neighbouring countries.
“During a working lunch held at the Office of the Prime Minister, the two leaders discussed in bilateral issues including trade, and infrastructure development as well as regional peace and security issues,” read the statement from the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s office.
Upon his departure yesterday, the president was seen off by the First Vice President Dr Riek Machar, and other government officials, at Juba International Airport.
In a tweet yesterday, upon receiving President Kiir, Dr Abiy Ahmed vowed that the two countries would always maintain strong bilateral relations.
“I received today President Salva Kiir Mayardit. As neighbors with common regional interests, we will continuously strengthen our cooperation,” said Dr Abiy.
Kiir played a key role in the attainment of peace between the Ethiopian government and Tigray People’s Defense Forces (TPDF).
Since the signing of the peace agreement, parts of Ethiopia which were initially rocked by spates of violence have experienced calm.
But on Friday, Reuters reported fresh fighting between the Ethiopian government forces and the militiamen called Fano in Amhara region.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, announced a state of emergency that was not specified whether in the entire region or parts of the region.
“It was found necessary to declare a state of emergency as it had become difficult to control this outrageous activity based on the regular legal system,” the statement quoted by AFP.
As fighting escalated, foreign missions in Ethiopia issued travel warnings, and Ethiopian Airlines canceled flights.
The conflict reportedly came after the government announced the removal of regional forces in the Amhara region, a decision seen as weakening the region.
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