Sudane’s First Vice-President to pay eight-day visit to US
July 6, 2006 (WASHINGTON) — Sudanese First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit will pay an eight-day visit to the United States to discuss southern Sudan reconstruction and Darfur peace implementation.
A press release issued by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Representative in Washington, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, announced that Salva Kiir will visit Washington from 18 to 26 July.
During his visit the Sudanese First Vice-President will meet President George W. Bush, US Congress members, US Administration officials as well as friends of Sudan, the press statement said.
Salva Kiir will discuss with Bush and US officials, the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in Nairobi, Kenya on 9 2005 by the former rebel SPLM and the Sudanese government.
One of priorities of the second trip of the Sudanese First Vice-President and President of the government of Southern Sudan will be the reconstruction efforts in Southern Sudan and how the US Administration can contribute in this enterprise while economic sanctions are still imposed on Sudan.
The two parties will also tackle Darfur peace agreement implementation, the UN force deployment in the region, and the current deterioration of the security situation in despite of the peace deal.
According to the statement, the question of regional security and counter-terrorism efforts will be debated during Salva Kiir visit.
The US Administration has showed concern over the southern Sudan brokered peace talks between Ugandan government and the LRA rebels. Salva Kiir has to persuade Washington to back fully his efforts in this regard. On Thursday 6 July, Washington opposed amnesty for LRA rebels accused of atrocities.
During his last November visit to Washington, Kiir met with Vice President Dick Cheney, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Deputy Secretary Robert Zoellick and members of the US Congress. This will be the first time to meet President Bush.
Last year visit coincided with the renewal of the economic sanction against the Sudan. Then, Kiir was criticised for not doing enough to persuade the US administration for lifting the sanctions.
Kiir’s visit to Washington will be the second since he took over the SPLM in August following the death of First Vice President John Garang in a helicopter crash.
(ST)