President Kiir, Eritrean Foreign minister told talks in Juba
May 5, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Eritrea’s Foreign Affairs minister, Osman Saleh Mohammed on Thursday held talks focusing on security in the region and how to foster ties between the two countries.
The meeting, held in the South Sudan capital, Juba was also attended by Yemane Ghebreab Woldeyohannes, an advisor to Eritrean government, South Sudan’s Presidential Affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin and the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister, Mayiik Ayii Deng.
Marial, in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Thursday, described the visit as “important”.
He said the Eritrean team, led by the Foreign minister delivered a “special” message from President Isaias Afweki to his South Sudan counterpart.
“The most important of it is that it is about the security of the region and how to strengthen and foster the existing bilateral relations between South Sudan and Eritrea, as well as issues pertaining to peace and security in the Horn of Africa region,” explained Marial.
He said Juba recognizes Asmara’s importance and what it represents in Africa.
“Eritrea has always centered its domestic and foreign policy on African interests irrespective of international pressures, including consistently supporting South Sudan,” stressed Marial.
For his part, South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs minister observed that Africa’s one billion-plus people needed to unite as the world shifts to a multipolar order.
“We can only realize the benefit of our fast-growing economies if we cooperate”, said Mayiik.
He, however, said South Sudan can learn from Eritrea’s African-centered mindset, by pursuing closer cooperation with countries across the Horn.
“Therefore, South Sudan has taken this auspicious occasion of the delegation’s visit to deepen the country’s dialogue about regional stability and economic integration, knowing that these will speed our ascent as part and parcel of an African economic and political bloc”, stressed Deng.
Indicating that the Eritrean Government has strong belief that the people of South Sudan have the capacity of addressing their problems, Mohammed expressed Eritrea’s full support to the implementation of the September 2018 peace agreement.
(ST)