South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir jetted in on Wednesday evening from a State visit to neighboring Ethiopia.

The visit, according to the presidential adviser Nhial Deng Nhial, focused on bilateral relations between South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Nhial further said the meeting between the two leaders revolved around peace in South Sudan. “The two leaders took note of the fact that the peace process has scored some progress and there is need to maintain the momentum,” he said.

“The leaders also stressed the need for the peace process to remain within the framework of the IGAD sub-region,” he explained.

Nhial pointed out that the South Sudanese leader used the visit to congratulate the new Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his new responsibilities.

Kiir left Juba for Ethiopia on Wednesday morning, amid growing international and regional pressure.

The IGAD Council of Ministers is expected to hold an extraordinary session to consider punitive measures against peace violators in South Sudan on Thursday.

UN Security Council is also due to vote on Thursday to impose sanctions on top South Sudan government officials.