Parliament on Monday ratified an agreement establishing a joint commission for bilateral cooperation between South Sudan and the government of the State of Kuwait.
The agreement, which was signed and presented to the Parliament earlier this year, enables the two countries to develop cooperation in science and technology, information, education, finance, health, and investment.
The five-year agreement also allows the two governments to hold consultations and coordinate political and cultural matters of common interest.
While presenting the report in Parliament on Monday, Joseph Malwal Dong, the chairperson of the joint committees on Foreign Affairs, Finance and Economic Planning, and Legislation and Justice, said: “During the scrutiny process, there was a unanimous acknowledgment that the state of Kuwait has in the past helped the then government of Southern Sudan. Thus, it’s important to rectify the agreement.”
Dong further said the cooperation between Kuwait and South Sudan started during the then Southern Sudan regional government, where it built Al Sabah Children Hospital and Kuwait residential area in Juba.
“The Members from the three committees scrutinized and came up with the following remarks and recommendations: There was a unanimous acknowledgment that the State of Kuwait had, in the past, assisted the then Southern Sudan Regional Government with some projects as the Al-Sabah Hospital for Children in Juba,” he said.
“The State of Kuwait constructed houses for teachers in Juba, and a plot of land on which to build the South Sudan Embassy premises in Kuwait was donated to the South Sudan Mission by the State of Kuwait, “he added.
The lawmaker emphasized that the agreement benefits the people of South Sudan and does not enforce any legal consequences because the parties are mandated to settle any dispute amicably through diplomatic channels without reference to any international court or arbitration.
Peter Gatkouth, an SPLM IO member representing Uror County, said having bilateral agreements with Kuwait is very important because Kuwait is one of the wealthiest countries in the Gulf region.
“As a new country, it is important that we make bilateral relations with Kuwait so that we grow because bilateral relations are about political, science, economic, and cultural issues,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Joseph Marona, an SPLM member, said the relations between South Sudan and Kuwait date back to the 1970s during the then Sudan, where it helped the Southern Sudan government in many areas.
“Honorable Speaker, Kuwait always stands with the people of South Sudan even in difficult situations. The State of Kuwait contributed humanitarian assistance to help our people in the displaced camps when we were in crises,” he said.