South Sudan president Salva Kiir on a “low profile” visit to UAE

March 21, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The president of South Sudan Salva Kiir is due to arrive in United Arab Emirates (UAE) today according to local newspapers.

The Al-Sudani newspaper said the two day visit will be “low profile” and complimentary to one made by Sudan’s president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir earlier this month.

There was no confirmation from any UAE official or the official UAE news agency (WAM) on the visit.

This will be the first time Kiir travels to UAE and the first of its kind by a Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) chairman to the oil rich Arab country.

Sources speaking to the newspaper said that Kiir’s meeting with UAE officials will focus on Arab investment in Southern Sudan. The UAE is the second biggest investor in Sudan after China.

(ST)