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Sudan Tribune

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Bashir may attend S. Sudan independence celebrations

April 21, 2015 (JUBA) – Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir is expected to be among several heads of state and governments who will attend celebrations for the fourth anniversary of South Sudan’s independence in July.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir shakes hands with South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir (R), at Khartoum airport on 4 November 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)
Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir shakes hands with South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir (R), at Khartoum airport on 4 November 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)
Bashir attended only the first celebration to mark the independence of the young nation in 2011 following the referendum of January 2011 when South Sudanese opted for the creation of an independent state.

Since the relations between the two countries swiftly deteriorated as the two countries traded accusations of support to rebel groups and the armed conflict over Heglig in April 2012.

A high-level official and member of the organising committee for the fourth independence celebration told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday that preparations to send out invitations were “at advanced stage”.

The source further said was expecting his committee to get a formal communication from the presidency and the ministry of foreign affairs on when president Bashir and other foreign heads of state and governments would be extended invitation to attend independence celebration.

“Of course,president Omer Bashir is among the foreign heads of state to be invited. He is the president of one our neighbouring countries and it would unwise to not invite him,” said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity since he was not authorised to speak to the media before completion of the process.

Bashir was among the first leaders to visit Juba after the eruption of the inter-South Sudanese fighting in December 2013 and announced his support to the elected president Salva Kiir.

However, officials in Juba accuse his army of providing military support o the rebels led by his former vice-president Riek Machar as Khartoum continue to claims that Sudanese rebels are harboured and backed by Juba.

Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny told Sudan Tribune in a separate interview that the independence celebration committee was indeed working on the invitation process but did not confirm or deny if Bashir is among the invitees.

However, Ateny confirmed that over 30 million South Sudan pounds has been earmarked for independence celebration in July, despite dwindling foreign reserves compounded with fiscal deficit and sky-rocketing consumer prices.

He said a budget amounting to 27 142496 South Sudanese pound has been set aside to cover the independence celebration while additional 6.8 million South Sudan pounds has been allocated to the ministry of electricity for lightening and other associated costs.

“The two budgets are separate. One is dedicated to cover the cost of independence celebration and the other is meant to cover the cost of lightening and other associated expenditures,” Ateny explained.

The official attributed the increase in this year’s independence celebration budget to requirements for renovation of some roads and facilities around mausoleum of the founding leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement late John Garang de Mabior during the independence celebration. The 2014 independence celebration caused the nation to spend 23642496 South Sudanese pounds.

(ST)

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