Kiir cuts short China trip due to “domestic issues”

April 25, 2012 (LONDON) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir will cut short his visit to China due to what a Chinese official described as “domestic issues.”

Kiir’s visit to Beijing was due to last until Saturday and comes as fighting between his country and neighbouring Sudan over their disputed oil-rich border continues.

The Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, Wu Bangguo, who met Kiir today, said it was unfortunate the South Sudanese leader would be leaving early and not travelling to Shanghai as planned.

It was not yet clear when Kiir will depart for Juba.

On Tuesday Kiir met with the Chinese President Hu Jintao, describing the bombings of South Sudanese territory by the Sudan Armed Forces as a declaration of war.

China is being careful not to take sides in the spat and has repeatedly urged the two sides to return to negotiations over the border, oil, citizenship, trade, national debt and other issues.

Beijing said it will send an envoy to the two East African countries to promote talks, VOA reported.

(ST)