Yiep Joseph
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. President Salva Kiir issues a press address at the Presidential Palace in Juba. [Photo: PPU]
President Salva Kiir is expected to attend the African Union Head of State Summit 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, today.
According to the statement obtained by The City Review, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Dr. James Pitia Morgan, who is already at the venue, said Kiir is expected to arrive today.
While leaving Juba for Addis on Tuesday, Pitia stressed that the president would engage with many leaders at the event with an aim of addressing regional problems.
“Minister Morgan emphasized that the President will engage in several sideline meetings, focusing on discussions regarding the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the current affairs in the East African region, including the situation in the Greater Lakes Region,” the statement partly read.
According to the statement, it would be a vital venue for President Kiir as Chairperson of East Africa and as President of South Sudan to discuss more issues rlated peace and stability in Africa and the region.
Amb. Pitia is also expected to take part in the AU Council of Ministers meeting.
Being close to Sudan, President Salva Kiir remains a favourable person in bringing peace to the warring generals in Sudan.
The IGAD’s mediation role in Sudan had recently hit a stumbling block after the Sudanese government faulted the bloc for inviting the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), to a summit that Khartoum considered a preserve of heads of state.
Dragging negotiation
As a result, the government, led by the military de facto leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, suspended the country’s membership in the bloc and registered its displeasure with the continued canvassing of Sudan’s affairs at a summit held in Uganda.
On Monday, President Kiir received a letter from his Kenyan counterpart, Dr. William Samoei Ruto, highlighting the focus on peace mediation efforts between the government and the holdout groups.
Although the mediation framework was not detailed, Kenyan Envoy Charles Keter noted that the document contained the blueprints for stabilizing regional security.
“The letter contains the framework for resolving the differences between Juba and the holdout groups, noting that this signifies a renewed commitment towards promoting regional peace and stability,” he said, as quoted by the PPU.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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