Sudanese President in South Sudan for bilateral talks

December 4, 2024 (PORT SUDAN/JUBA) – The President of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, is in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, on an official visit.

Al-Burhan arrived in South Sudan on Wednesday and is due to meet his South Sudan counterpart, Salva Kiir, for discussions that will focus on the progress of bilateral relations, ways to consolidate and enhance cooperation between the two countries, and issues of mutual interest.

SUNA reported that the Sudanese leader was accompanied by Sudan’s Minister of Energy and Oil, Dr Mohi-Eddin Naeem, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hussein al-Amin, and the Director General of the General Intelligence, General Ahmed Ibrahim Mufaddal.

President Kiir and his Sudanese counterpart are expected to discuss the resumption of South Sudan’s oil exports through Sudan, a country at war since mid-April last year.

Speaking at the end of the 8th Governors’ Forum on Monday, Kiir said that although his country faces economic challenges, efforts are underway to ensure oil exportation resumes.

“We are facing a dual crisis [after]operations were interrupted by the conflict in Sudan. I am fully engaged with our brothers in Sudan to ensure unfettered access for engineers and a steady flow of materials to the oil fields,” he said.

Landlocked South Sudan depends on Sudan for oil transportation to international markets.

On April 15, 2023, Sudan was plunged into conflict as longstanding tensions between Al-Burhan and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo erupted into war.  With thousands of people killed and millions displaced,  the United Nations has warned that Sudan is facing the world’s worst displacement crisis as the war continues with no end in sight.

(ST)