South Sudan’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai left Juba today morning for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to attend the extraordinary IGAD summit on his country. He would on Monday evening address the meeting on behalf of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
The Summit, which would open today evening, is expected to discuss the dire security and humanitarian situation facing South Sudan and the obstacles to the implementation of the signed peace deal.
Speaking to reporters at Juba International Airport before Gai’s team departed, Spokesman in the Office of the First Vice President, Chuol Lam said Taban Deng will present the status of peace implementation and also lobby for regional assistance.
“The delegation of the transitional government of national unity headed by the First Vice President Gen. Taban Deng Gai is travelling to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The mission is to attend the extraordinary summit of IGAD,” said Lam.
“It is a one-day summit that will deliberate on the current situation in the country, humanitarian, and security as well as discuss the implementation of the peace agreement,” he added.
The First Vice President was accompanied by senior government officials including ministers and presidential advisers.
Last week, President Kiir decided not to take up an invitation from the East African regional bloc IGAD to attend the extraordinary summit in Addis Ababa. His office said Kiir was busy with other commitments in Juba.