South Sudan’s VP visits Dubai, Riyadh and Washington for bilateral talks

June 2, 2011 (JUBA) – The Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Riek Machar, is leading a high level delegation to a number of countries in the Middle East and North America.

Machar left the Southern Sudan’s capital, Juba, on Thursday and is expected to discuss bilateral issues, particularly on investment and other economic activities in South Sudan with the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The Vice President will also proceed to the United States of America where he will hold talks with the US administration as well as meet with the South Sudanese community in the Diaspora.

South Sudan will formally become independent in five weeks time on July 9. The region voted overwhelmingly for independence in a self-determination referendum conducted in January 2011.

The plebiscite was in accordance with the North-South peace deal signed in 2005 between the Sudan government, represented by Khartoum’s ruling National Congress Party, and former rebels the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) which has ruled South Sudan since 2005.

(ST)