Egyptian president says impressed by his visit to South Sudan
November 20, 2008 (CAIRO) — The Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak said he was impressed with his recent and historic visit to Southern Sudan that took place last week.
“Egypt will open hospitals, schools and a university in South Sudan” he added.
The Egyptian president said his brief trip aimed at supporting unity between North and South Sudan.
Mubarak’s visit to South Sudan is the first for an Egyptian president since 1962 where president Jamal Abdel Nasser visited Juba.
In Juba Mubarak had talks with the First Vice President and southern Sudan government president Salva Kiir Mayadrit on the implementation of a peace deal that Egypt is one of its international guarantors.
Kiir briefed Mubarak on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and urged more pressures on Khartoum.
Mubarak told reporters: “I came to Juba for the first time and it gives you an indication that we are concerned about southern Sudan”.
He said his government would set up a branch of Egypt’s Alexandria University in the southern.
Observers said the surprise visit by Mubarak signaled growing concern by Egypt that South Sudan is leaning towards separation in the 2011 referendum.
Egypt is dependent on the Nile for its water needs. The White Nile, which flows through southern Sudan, provides about 10 percent of the total flow and could provide more if the water management system is improved.
The construction of Jonglei canal is one of the main concerns for Cairo which tries to convince Juba to resume the work on the hydro-construction project. The unpopular canal project was put to a halt in 1983 following the outbreak of the North-South civil war.
The purpose of the canal was to ensure the flow of 4.7 billion cubic meters of water annually, to be equally distributed between Egypt and Sudan.
(ST)
Jur_likang a likan'g
Egyptian president says impressed by his visit to South Sudan
The issue of Jonglei Canal is unpopular and environmentally unhealthy to South Sudan as such any project of this kind should actually be put to referendum to ok it start or we are heading to a problem. Jonglei canal project touches the very blood lines of South Sudan nation. Egyptian interests should not overshadow our own interests, ours should come first just like theirs in Egypt come first before ours. No one should decide the fate of all Southern Sudanese fate on this issue other than all of them individually.
Toposa Boy southerner
Egyptian president says impressed by his visit to South Sudan
Open hospitals, schools and a university in Egypt not in new born country south Sudan
Your Evil dictator when are you going to die most Egyptian people will be very very happy
Mubarac hosni must die you will die soonnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Evil
wannawilla S M
Egyptian president says impressed by his visit to South Sudan
Hey guys, opening University or any other projects won’t stop our struggle to have a new nation between Uganda and Jalla state.
Mobarak said he was impressed by southers(Gunubeen)speaking Arabic. Mobarak, just to tell you that, to have a good war with your enemy, you must know his language. As a result, we negotiate them in both Arabic and English. And if we are a nation, Arabic must be a compalsory subject in schools all over South Sudan.
About the Jongoli canal, GOSS must make use of experts to deal with the issue.
Again for Mobarak, don’t worry if south sudan seperated, you will get Moya. So don’t worry.