Kiir leaves Juba for Cairo to meet al-Sisi

South Sudan president Salva Kiir arrives in Cairo on Wednesday 16 January 2019. (Photo: presidential press unit)

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir left Juba for Cairo on Wednesday morning where he will meet his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir left Juba for Cairo on Wednesday morning where he will meet his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The president’s spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told Radio Tamazuj that the visit aims at strengthening cooperation between the two countries. Ateny further said President Kiir will also brief the Egyptian leader on the revitalized peace agreement during his two-day state visit.

He added that President Kiir will also pitch for help to implement the peace deal. The trip came at the invitation of President Al-Sisi, Ateny said.

As well as meeting President al-Sisi, according to Ateny, Kiir will meet the Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

“The Arab League can also play a role in the implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan. We have historical ties with the Arab League because South Sudan separated from Sudan,” he said.

South Sudan has long been one of Cairo’s closest friendly countries. The youngest nation has been appealing for financial support to implement the peace deal signed in September 2018.