Bashir invites Kiir for talks amid rising inflation between countries
By Ngor Arol Garang
October 1, 2011 (JUBA) – Sudan’s President Omer Hassan Al- Bashir has invited his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit for talks on outstanding issues amid soaring food prices in the countries and .
The invitation follows an agreement between the two countries, last September, establishing ten entry check points meant to facilitate movement for goods and people at the over the new international border.
South Sudan split from Sudan in July and has since complained that the trade of essential goods from the North has been restricted forcing up prices, especially in border states.
Despite Bashir’s recognition of South Sudan independence in July, relations between the two countries have remained tense over the disputed Abyei region, demarcation of border, a new oil transportation deal and Khartoum’s accusation to the South Sudan ruling party, SPLM, of supporting Darfur rebels and SPLM-North in the ongoing armed conflicts in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan.
Speaking to journalists shortly after weekly cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, minister of information and broadcasting service said Kiir has accepted the invitation of his Sudanese counterpart Bashir to visit Khartoum next week.
“President Kiir with number of ministers and heads of various institutions will go next week. The talks would discuss issues if mutual cooperation and relations between the two countries,” Marial said.
“The talks would focus on post-independence arrangements particularly issues connected with the oil charges, border, the Abyei and the fate of old Sudanese pound as well as the citizenship right and residence,” he further added.
The minister pointed out that the weekly meeting was briefed by the president on his recent official visit to the United States of America to attend the 66th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York where met and held talks with leaders from other countries including President Barak Obama of the United States of America, Jacob Zuma of South Africa, the Austrian president, Eritrea’s president and leaders from other nations including the Indian prime minister.
Kiir, he added, briefed the council about his meeting in Nairobi with Lam Akol Ajawin, the leader of South Sudan’s largest opposition political party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC).
He told reporters that President Kiir informed the Council that Akol agreed return home in order to contribute to the nation building. The meeting was also addressed by Hilde F. Johnson, special representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations.
(ST)