South Sudanese official, Turkish ambassador discuss sports
April 4, 2024 (JUBA)- The South Sudanese minister of Youth and Sports, Joseph Geng Akech on Thursday met and held talks with the Turkish ambassador to the country, Ardem Mutaf as the former started his engagements with stakeholders.
Geng and the Turkish Ambassador explored ideas around which the two countries could strengthen and enhance the long-established bilateral relations.
Also, in attendance was Deborah Akech, undersecretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, alongside other officials. It was the first-ever meeting between the Turkish ambassador and the minister since his appointment in 2023.
Cordial and receptive, it resolved to establish a framework through which a memorandum of understanding could be reached to guide relations and cooperation on youth affairs and sporting activities, as well as establish mechanisms through which sports, youth empowerment, and capacity-building programs could be supported.
It also explored ideas soliciting support to build a Mayardit sports complex as well as mechanisms through which supply of artificial tufts to all 10 states and three administrative areas could be acquired.
The Turkish ambassador, according to a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, reiterated the commitment of his government to the government of South Sudan under President Salva Kiir through the ministry, offering scholarship programs to South Sudanese youth interested in sporting studies and training in institutions offering sports and training opportunities in Turkish.
This understanding, however, requires the signing of a memorandum of understanding committing the two countries to explain the basis.
The South Sudanese Youth minister also acknowledged longstanding relations between the two countries, expressing hope these relations could be used to benefit youth through the acquisition of knowledge and skills in various areas.
However, both the minister and the ambassador agreed to hold regular meetings to enhance further understanding in promoting bilateral cooperation.
Turkish has aided South Sudan in the areas of education, health, humanitarian assistance, and implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), but the leadership is now looking at sports not only for showcasing talents and skills at the regional and global sporting events, but as an opportunity to improving its diplomatic and bilateral relations with other countries in multiple areas at international and regional levels.
Since 2011, bilateral relations have been developing between Turkey and South Sudan ever since the East African nation attained its independence from Sudan.
Economic and commercial relations between Turkey and South Sudan has considerable potential, with trade volumes between the two countries reportedly reaching $6.2 million in 2020. Turkey imports from South Sudan was $677 during 2022, the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade shows.
(ST)