The Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Sigmar Gabriel, has arrived in the South Sudanese capital Juba today.
The visiting minister was received by South Sudan’s Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kuol at Juba International Airport.
This afternoon he met President Salva Kiir and a number of ministers in Juba.
In a statement after the meeting, Minister Deng Alor said the meeting discussed issues pertaining to national dialogue, peace and humanitarian situation in South Sudan.
The visiting foreign minister said he had the opportunity in Uganda to see how many refugees have come from South Sudan, saying the South Sudanese refugees do not see future prospects for security in South Sudan which he described as “unfortunate.”
He further said South Sudan’s warring parties cannot win the ongoing conflict militarily. Gabriel pointed out that they support the national dialogue initiated by President Kiir to bring about peace and stability in South Sudan.
The top German diplomat emphasized the importance of finding homegrown solutions to the ongoing conflict to complement regional efforts for peace in South Sudan.
He pointed out that all parties to the peace agreement including estranged groups should be involved in the peace process.
Minister Gabriel appealed to the government of South Sudan to allow unhindered humanitarian access across the country.