The Prime Minister of Sudan, Dr. Abdalla Hamdok earlier today arrived in the South Sudanese capital Juba on a two-day bilateral visit which will also focus on the progress of the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and the current fallout in the SPLM/A-IO.

South Sudan’s foreign affairs minister, Beatrice Khamisa Wani, said the two heads of state will discuss both bilateral issues and concerns related to the peace deal under the auspices of IGAD which Sudan currently chairs.

“We are here on both a bilateral visit as well as a visit on issues of IGAD. You know His Excellency Dr. Hamdok is also the chair of IGAD countries therefore the visit will be on two different things,” Foreign minister Khamisa said. “We have over the years signed cooperation agreements between South Sudan and Sudan and those will be examined by the various ministers in South Sudan and their counterparts. But also His Excellency Dr. Hamdok will discuss with His Excellency President Salva Kiir issues of the implementation of the peace agreement and especially the recent developments in Magenis and so forth.” 

For her part, the Sudanese foreign affairs minister, Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, told the press that despite making some gains, there is slow progress in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and the unification of armed forces. 

“Overseeing the implementation of the peace agreement, yes we all commended and we are observing the very positive developments that are taking place within the implementation of the peace agreement but there is still observed slowness and many of the observations regarding the integration of the armed groups,” Minister Mariam Al-Mahadi said.   

She added: “The manifestation of this split (SPLM/A-IO) is still a manifestation of the whole process. That is why people are much concerned to revitalize and to further support the government of South Sudan to implement the agreement. And as you know the ending of the whole agreement is within a few weeks.”

Al- Mahadi said that the visit will also tackle the issues of the Abyei Administrative Area, UNISFA, the border, and how to improve relations between the two neighbors. 

The two-day visit will conclude on Saturday.