US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley met with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir in Juba where they discussed issues pertaining to the peace process and humanitarian access.

The visiting US official and President Kiir posed for photographs but did not address the public following their meeting today.

However, President Kiir’s special envoy Nhial Deng Nhial said the meeting focused on revitalization of the 2015 peace agreement, permanent ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access.

“President Kiir took the opportunity to once more emphasize the commitment and the readiness of the government to commit itself fully to the revitalization process,” Nhial said.

The government official said Kiir also assured the visiting US envoy to the United Nations that his government would observe the cessation of hostilities in order to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.

Nhial pointed out that the visiting US diplomat urged President Kiir to exert more efforts to ensure unhindered humanitarian access in South Sudan.

“The president responded by telling her that there is a strong collaboration ongoing between the government and UNMISS or the UN system in general, and as a result of this collaboration, we have been able to establish mechanisms that work jointly to improve and address problems of humanitarian access,” he said.

Nhial, who is also a presidential adviser, said Kiir also asked the Trump administration to improve South Sudan relations with neighbouring Sudan.

He noted that Haley’s visit to South Sudan opens a new chapter in terms of his government’s engagement with the US administration.