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Sudan Tribune

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S. Sudan’s Kiir, Zuma discuss bilateral relations

December 12, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese president Salva Kiir on Friday held bilateral talks with his South African counterpart, Jacob Zuma.

Salva Kiir and President Zuma of SA, (Thomas Kenneth)
Salva Kiir and President Zuma of SA, (Thomas Kenneth)
The president, who was accompanied by senior government and military officials prior to his departure, reiterated his commitment to restore peace and stability in the country.

“We will not rest, we will knock all doors until they open and accept our commitment to help bring peace and stability to this country,” said Kiir.

“So I will go and hear from him what he will say and what role the South African government and people intend to play towards the desire of our people in their quest for peace and development,” he added.

Sudan Tribune could not immediately establish what the two leaders discussed at the meeting, which took place in Cape Town.

Earlier on, however, the minister for the presidency, Awan Riak, said the South Sudan leader would brief South Africa’s governing party (ANC) members on progress so far made in the ongoing peace negotiations mediated by East African regional bloc (IGAD).

“President Salva Kiir will to brief president Zuma on the ongoing peace process in South Sudan which is facilitated by the Intergovernmental Authority for Development,” he told reporters.

The meeting, he said, would further explore ways of how both could enhance and deepen their political, economic and social relations.

Since the 2005 signing of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) South Africa has supported the African Union-initiated Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) projects with both Sudan and South Sudan actively involved.

Over 1,600 South Sudanese officials have reported benefitted from training undertaken by the South African government as part of the AUPCRD’s capacity-building program in fields of policing, justice, communications and foreign services.

“There are also significant efforts in trade and South Sudan represents a growing export market for South African goods into the Horn of Africa,” said Riak

(ST)

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