Salva Kiir works hard to resolve tribal conflicts in South Sudan

May 5, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The State Minister at the presidency, Telar Ring Deng, has said that the First Vice-President, Lt-Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, was delayed in the southern states because he was preoccupied with resolving tribal problems and the spread of some diseases.

In addition, he had been engaged in finalizing preparations for the formation of the government of the south.

Speaking to the press at Khartoum airport, the minister said Kiir had remained in Juba for over a month in order to prepare the government in the southern states to perform its role in implementing the peace agreement.

The minister pointed out that Kiir was able to resolve problems between tribes which he said were not widespread. He added that the security situation was now stable in the southern states and that diseases, which were prevalent in North Bahr-al-Ghazal, had now receded.

Telar said the meeting between the ruling National Congress Party and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, which was delayed more than once, would be held on 27 and 28 May.

He said this delay was due to the fact that some members would be absent from the national capital before this date.

(ST)