South Sudan's Minister of Information and Broadcasting Michael Makuei Lueth on Tuesday downplayed the visit of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to Khartoum.

In remarks to press, Makuei said that President Museveni's visit is not a new development, adding it comes within the framework of the regional efforts aimed to discuss problems facing East Africa.

The government spokesman indicated that there are differences between Khartoum and Kampala as well as the current situation in South Sudan.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday that President Omar al-Bashir and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, will sign a joint communiqué during the visit.

For his part, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kamal Ismail, said that the two sides already had reviewed preparatory arrangements for the success of the visit, besides the fundamental issues and topics that will be discussed during the visit.

The official further said the two presidents will come out with a joint communiqué.

Kamal noted the joint communiqué to be signed by the two leaders will pave the way for better future diplomatic relations. He pointed out that the scheduled two-day visit by the President Museveni will focus on bilateral relations between the two nations.