Egypt and South Sudan building on their ties as Cairo continues to hunt for friends in the region

Juba, South Sudan

July 15, 2021 — South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir Mayardit has yesterday met with the Egyptian delegation led by the minister of Trade and Industry Dr. Nivein Jamae in presence of the South Sudan Minister of Investment, Dr. Dhieu Mathok Ding.

This came two days after the Egyptian investors were given green light by  the South Sudan government to make their trade show in Juba.

According to Presidential press Unit, the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry applauded South Sudanese government for giving them an opportunity to make the Egyptian trade exhibition which is intended to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

“Speaking to the press after the meeting, the Egyptian Minister of trade and industry Nivein Jamae appreciated the government of South Sudan for giving Egypt a chance to hold the Egyptian trade exhibition in Juba aims to deepen the relationship between Cairo and Juba” statement reads.

In a statement, Ali Al Musaili, the Egyptian Minister for finance and internal industry was quoted stressing that the visit of the Egyptian delegation to Juba is all about deepening the bilateral ties between the two countries in term of trade.

“On his part, the Egyptian minister of finance and internal industry Ali Al Musaili said the visit of the Egyptian delegation to Juba is based on active bilateral trade relations between the two countries”, it added.

The relations between Egypt and South Sudan began to strengthen in early 2015 when the war intensified in South Sudan, a time the armed opposition was gaining more momentum against the then government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Egypt has so far assisted South Sudan with medical aid, Finance and all necessary assistance to be able to resist and overcome the opposition groups as Egypt continue to extend her bilateral relationship in the region at the disadvantage of their Ethiopian rival.

Egypt and Ethiopia remain at a loggerhead over the Nile water crises, and gaining strategic grounds in South Sudan could provide an upper hand to either side.