South Sudan’s Kiir in UAE to woo investors

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir. ©Reuters

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir left Juba yesterday, April 22, 2019 for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for a two-day official visit.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir left Juba yesterday, April 22, 2019 for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for a two-day official visit.

 The president’s spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told Radio Tamazuj that during the visit, President Kiir will meet with Crown Prince Shiekh Mohamed Bin Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan.

The discussions between the South Sudanese leader and the Crown Prince, Ateny said, will center on fostering direct UAE investment in South Sudan and cementing bilateral ties between the two countries.

He further said President Kiir will sign several cooperation deals with the United Arab Emirates.

 Ateny, who is also the presidential press secretary, said President Kiir will hold a series of talks on promoting Arab investment in the young nation.

“The president is going to invite investors to come because South Sudan would be seeking investments in order to improve the economic situation after the formation of the transitional government on May 12,” said Ateny.

This is the second visit by Kiir to the oil rich Arab country.

Kiir was accompanied by foreign minister Nhial Deng Nhial, minister in the office of the president Mayiik Ayii Deng and minister of finance, Salvatore Garang Mabiordit.

In September 2019, President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and other opposition officials signed a revitalised peace deal to end the conflict.

The parties are expected to form a unity government by May 12. However, the agreement has been met with missed deadlines due to lack of money.