South Sudan donates 1m dollars towards famine relief in Kenya

Feb 28, 2006 (NAIROBI) — The People of Southern Sudan through the Government of Southern Sudan Tuesday made a contribution of Kshs 75 million (1m US dollars) towards the National Famine kitty.

According to the Kenyan KBC Radio, President Mwai Kibaki received the donation this morning from Justine Yac Arop, the cabinet affairs minister of the Government of Southern Sudan.

Receiving the contribution President Kibaki hailed the people of Southern Sudan for the gesture, noting that the substantial contribution was a mark of true friendship.

‘On behalf of all Kenyans I thank you very much. The current problem of drought will be with us in the coming months, but we continue to pray to God to bless us with adequate rains in the coming weeks.’ Said President Kibaki.

Arop said the people of Southern Sudan made the contribution to help alleviate the suffering of the people of Kenya, who have always stood by them during their trying moments.

Kenya was the lead and objective broker during peace talks that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that saw an end to a long drawn conflict in Southern Sudan.

Following the signing of the agreement last year a government of National Unity based in Khartoum was signed, under the leadership of President Al Bashir and Vice President Salva Kiir who is also President of Southern Sudan.

Arop was, accompanied by Cirino Ofuho the Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Regional and International Co-operation.

(KBC/ST)