Arab League SG says it is in South Sudan interest to join the bloc
January 14, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Al-Araby expressed disappointment at the visit made by South Sudan president Salva Kiir to Israel last month and urged the newly established state to consider joining the pan-Arab bloc.
“Like Sudanese leaders in Khartoum mentioned, the relations between Israel and South Sudan has been going on for a while,” he added.
South Sudan, which seceded from the Arab-Muslim dominated north in July of last year, received covert support from the Jewish state during its war against the north which lasted for more than two decades.
Israel was quick to recognise the independence of the country and pledged to establish full diplomatic and economic relations with South Sudan. It named its envoy to Juba this week. During Kiir’s low-profile visit to Tel Aviv in December he met with senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
The government in Khartoum expressed concern over the visit and suggested that it has an impact on its national security.
The Arab League SG called on South Sudan to apply for his organization’s membership.
“When I went to Juba last March I spoke with them on many things, including joining the Arab League and I was told that the topic is being studied and nothing happened. This past September I met President Salva Kiir and talked with him on the same subject and the answer was the same” Al-Araby said.
Al-Araby stressed that the Arab League has undertook efforts and provided aid to South Sudan adding that they stand ready to give more aid because they need a lot of it.
He said that if South Sudan objectively considers the matter they will find that it is in the interest of their people to join the Arab League.
(ST)