Sudan’s Kiir top priorities for the next stage

By The Khartoum Monitor

Oct 24, 2005 — At least the President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) Lieutenant General Salva Kiir can now repose, though not a fully, after having succeeded in forming the long awaited south Sudan interim cabinet with Abyei still in the queue.

Having formed the cabinet, Salva Kiir can now turn around and predispose himself with crucial issues of regional and international relevance to south Sudan.

Top on his list should be linkage of South Sudan with the donor community. The financial pledges made during the Oslo donor conference on reconstruction of South Sudan will materialize automatically with funds pouring into Southern Sudan. A lot of work and shuttle diplomacy are needed to secure the inflow of development funds.

Another important aspect deals with international investments to accelerate the pace of development. Many projects in the south is in dire need to depend on the ability of GOSS to attract investors by offering them sweet terms and competitive packages.

The third is for Salva to visit neighbouring and some western countries especially in Europe, USA and Canada to encourage southern Sudanese refugees to come back home and participate in nation building. This should start with IDPs camps around Khartoum.