South Sudan’s Kiir, Kenya’s Ruto hold bilateral talks in Nairobi

September 14, 2022 (JUBA/NAIROBI) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and Kenya’s newly-elected leader, William Ruto on Wednesday discussed a bilateral agreement in the areas of cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting of the two leaders took place at State House in Nairobi, Kenya.

President Kiir, his office said in a statement, highlighted the importance of Kenya’s relations and their stand towards the implementation of South Sudan’s peace deal.

The South Sudanese leader was among the 20 African heads of states invited to attend Ruto’s inauguration ceremony held at the Kasarani stadium on Tuesday.

Ruto, in a statement, said they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries and boost intra-African trade within the region as well as other continents.

“With South Sudan President Salva Kiir, discussed various bilateral agreements and areas of cooperation, including security and regional infrastructure development,” wrote President Ruto on Twitter.

“We are working with South Sudan in enhancing intra-African trade through the strengthening of the East African Community and other regional economic blocs in the continent,” he added.

Also in attendance were Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, among others. Malik Agar, a Sovereign Council member, represented Sudan.

Tens of thousands of people cheered as Ruto was sworn in as Kenya’s president at a ceremony in the Kenyan capital following his narrow election win last month.

Ruto, a former deputy president, won the hotly-contested poll with 50.5% of the vote.

(ST)