Obama’s envoy to Sudan arrives in Juba

April 5, 2009 (JUBA) — The US special presidential envoy to the Sudan, General Scott Gration and his aides arrived in Juba, the capital city of the semi-autonomous region of Southern Sudan on Sunday in the early evening.

Gration, who is on an official two day visit, will be meeting with the First Vice President of the Republic who is President of the Government of South Sudan (GOSS), Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The meetings schedule, which begins Monday, includes also talks with GOSS Vice President Riek Machar Teny, as well as the Speaker of South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) Hon. James Wani Igga, the GOSS Presidential Advisor on Human Rights and Gender, Rebecca Nyandeng De-Mabior and other senior GOSS officials.

Gration arrived from a very brief visit to Darfur, accompanied by US Charged d’Affaires to Sudan Alberto Fernandez, State Department official Tim Shortley, and the Sudanese Ambassador to the United States of America Akec Khoc.

They were received at Juba International Airport by US officials including Consul General to Juba Christopher Datta, USAID Sudan Director Bill Hammink, USAID South Sudan Director Peter Malnak, as well as GOSS officials including Minister for Presidential Affairs Luka Biong Deng, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Regional Cooperation Cirino Hiteng Ofuho, and Director General for Special Programs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs Deng Deng Yai.

Before returning to the United States, Gration will return to Khartoum on Tuesday to complete his meetings and talks with some Sudanese government officials and aid officials.

(ST)