South Sudan envoy in Egypt, British diplomat discuss bilateral ties

By Roba Gibia

August 14, 2007 (CAIRO) — The head of GoSS Liaison Office in Cairo, Parmena Makuet received today August 14, 2007 in his office Mr. Martin Hetherington First Secretary at the British Embassy in Cairo. The two parties discussed peace implementation, and means to strengthen bilateral ties.

The Head of Mission briefed the British diplomat about the challenges facing Government of Southern Sudan. Makuet pointed out that Abyei remains without administration despite the fact that both parties (SPLM and NCP) agreed to act on Abyei protocol promptly after signing Naivasha agreement.

The two parties discussed strengthening bilateral relations between United Kingdom and Government of Southern Sudan. On the other hand, the First Secretary of British Embassy expressed desire to increase the number of British Diplomats to British Consulate in Juba as well as cooperation in economic and investment fields.

Makuet explained to Hetherington his role as representative of Government of Southern Sudan in the Middle East, which comes in compliment with the comprehensive peace agreement.

Makuet required involvement of Great Britain in the reconstruction process of Southern Sudan.

Moreover, he thanked Kuwait role in southern Sudan after Addis Ababa accord in 1972 and look forward to see its continuation at this juncture. He also pointed out that Egypt has now committed itself practically in education, civil servant training, health and in the filed of electricity in the southern Sudan.

At the end of the meeting, the two diplomats discussed also the predicament of Sudanese sneaking to Israel and the desperate Sudanese who are willing to return to Sudan and are streaming daily to the Egypt Liaison Office for voluntary repatriation assistance.

(ST)