South Sudan’s Kiir, Putin to discuss Sudan conflict: official
September 28, 2023 (JUBA)- South Sudan President Salva Kiir will discuss the role of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin in resolving the conflict in Sudan, an official said.
Kiir flew to Moscow on Wednesday and was received by Russia’s deputy Foreign Affairs minister, Andrey Rudenko Yurevich, South Sudan’s ambassador to Russia, Chol Tong Mayay and a group of African ambassadors and diplomats in Russia.
South Sudan’s Information minister, Michael Makuei said Kiir and his delegation are in Moscow in response to an earlier invitation extended by Russian authorities.
He said both leaders will engage in diplomatic and bilateral talks on several matters.
“They will discuss a wide range of issues encompassing security, peace, and economic cooperation. They will also discuss the situation of the ongoing conflict in Sudan,” Makuei told reporters on Wednesday.
The minister acknowledged President Kiir’s mediation efforts to end war in Sudan.
“President Salva, as you all know has been playing an important with the view to end the conflict in Sudan. He has been speaking about it in his diplomatic engagements and recently he addressed the United Nations General Assembly where he highlighted the conflict in Sudan is impacting the region. he will now brief the Russian president and share his vision on how to end the conflict”, he stressed.
Makuei said he was optimistic Russia will play a vital role by supporting the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and elections earmarked for 2024.
A high-ranking official accompanying President Kiir on the Moscow trip explained that the South Sudanese leader and Putin will negotiate bilateral relations and the prospects of Russian companies investing in the energy agriculture as well as mining industry sectors.
South Sudan, the official told Sudan Tribune, will benefit from Russian investments in multiple ways. One investment opportunity includes an oil refinery in Bentiu, which is a joint venture between Russian firm Safinat and Nile Petroleum Corporation (NILEPET).
(ST).