Nov 28, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — The Egyptian president, His Excellency President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, who arrived in South Sudanese capital this morning on a one day visit, has met the South Sudan President and discussed numerous bilateral issues ranging from controlling floods in South Sudan to dealing with regional security and issues related to Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam.
“His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit welcomed his Egyptian Counterpart, His Excellency Abdel Fattah Al- Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and his accompanying delegation in his Office and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues” Said South Sudan’s Presidential Press Unit.
In his first visit to South Sudan since he ascended to power in 2013, El-Sisi stressed the importance of possessing the will by all South Sudanese parties to render the recently-signed peace deal successful.
He commended South Sudan for its efforts to assist Sudan achieve peace in their country.
“President El-Sisi praised the efforts exerted by South Sudan’s president in mediating between the Sudanese government and rebel factions, which led to signing the Juba deal, said the presidential spokesman in a statement released following the meeting.” President Kiir’s office said.
The Egyptian president said they held talks with Kiir on issues of mutual concern and means to enhance bilateral ties, especially on the economic and development levels.
“The two leaders agreed on the need to enhance mutual cooperation in areas of education, healthcare, media, energy, trade and investment, and infrastructural connectivity especially with respect to road and rail links.” President Kiir’s office reiterated.
The Egyptian president also pledged the Egyptian full support in alleviating some of the challenges facing South Sudan such as the impact of falling oil prices, COVID-19 pandemic and recent devastating flood across the Country.
In a statement after a meeting, El-Sisi said the two presidents discussed maximizing the usage of Nile waters, which he said should be a source of hope and national development.
His government has described Ethiopia’s dam project as an existential threat to Egypt, which relies on the Nile for most of its water supply.
The Egyptian president also said he’s asking the international community to lift sanctions on South Sudan, which is slowly recovering from five years of civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people.
South Sudan’s president said he stressed the importance of dialogue in dealing with issues affecting regional security and the “responsibility of Africans to seek African solutions to African problems.”
The discussions also dealt with the latest development of other regional issues, including those of the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa as the presidents agreed on the significance of strengthening the African capabilities to face the challenges facing the continent.
