Sudan’s Kiir cancels visit to UK and Europe

July 10, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese First Vice President Salva Kiir cancelled his scheduled visit to Britain and Europe after the Foreign office informed him that prime minister Gordon Brown will not be able to meet him.

However, the British foreign office said that Brown has appointments at the G-8 summit in Rome and proposed that he meet with other officials and members of parliament.

The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) then informed London that they will not accept the change and decided to cancel the trip altogether.

Some GoSS sources speaking to the newspaper said that there are no issues in relationship with 10 Downing Street but that the visit “was poorly planned”.

They further said that any future plans to visit will be made by Juba.

Kiir’s last trip to London took place in October 2006 and met with former prime minister Tony Blair. The cancelled visit was to tackle mainly the issue of development.

(ST)