Kenya reaffirms support to peace and development in South Sudan

January 27, 2010 (NAIROBI) — Following a meeting with visiting Sudanese First Vice President, the Kenyan President today reaffirmed his support to peace implementation, rehabilitation and development in southern Sudan.

Heading a delegation composed of SPLA Affairs minister Nhail Deng Nhail and regional Cooperation Oyai Deng Ajak, Salva Kiir Mayadrit paid one day visit to Nairobi where he met with the President Mwai Kibaki.

“The Kenya government would support capacity building to hasten development of Southern Sudan and attainment of political stability in the country,” said a statement released by the Kenyan presidency after the meeting.

President Kibaki said that his government was gearing towards rehabilitating infrastructure especially major link roads through the Nadapal border point, construction of a modern sea port in Lamu and a rail linking Southern Sudan to Ethiopia.

He also urged parties to the peace agreement to remain committed to observing the principles of the CPA and to prepare adequately for the forthcoming elections scheduled for April 2010.

He assured the president of southern Sudan government that Kenya, IGAD and AU would remain actively engaged in the successful implementation of the CPA due to the far reaching implications to the region’s security.

Kenya hosted peace talks between Sudanese government and the former rebel SPLM to end more than two decades of war in southern Sudan. The CPA was signed in Nairobi on January 9, 2005.

Kibaki reiterated that Kenya was committed to enhanced security along the two countries common border through regular cross border meetings and other forms of security cooperation.

From the Kenyan side the was attended by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Richard Onyonka, Head Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura and other senior government officials.

(ST)