South Sudan denies president Salva Kiir travelled to South Africa
November 6, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s government on Wednesday denied reports claiming its president Salva Kiir Mayardit had travelled to South Africa, allegedly to conduct general medical check, following reports that he experienced difficulties in sleeping.
Kiir left Juba on Saturday 2 November. Later that day South Sudan Television announced that he was on an official visit to Nairobi, the capital of neigbouring Kenya, for bilateral talks with its government and president.
The Kenyan and South Sudanese media did not report the visit and government officials did not comment publicly on the nature of the visit while he was away.
He returned to the country on Monday 4th aboard Kenyan airline and South Sudan television reported the head of state was returning from a visit to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
Kiir, 62, was received at Juba International Airport by cabinet Affairs Minister, Martin Elia Lomuro and a line of cabinet ministers and high level military officers on arrival. No immediate press statement was also made. Pictures broadcast by SSTV showed Kiir smiling and looking healthy while disembarking off Kenyan airways on Monday.
Another broadcast on Tuesday showed him addressing senior military officers who decided to pay him a courtesy call at the presidential palace in Juba. The officers were led into the meeting with the president who appeared well and assertive by the chief of General Staff, James Hoth Mai.
Army spokesperson, Colonel Phillip Aguer said later that the movement was part of the familiarization visit to key institutions after concluding a two day command council initially opened and closed by his deputy, James Wani Igga, before traveling to South Africa on Sunday.
On Wednesday, however, the Information and broadcasting minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, called special and urgent press briefing with all media house operating in the country, denying categorically that Kiir had travelled to South Africa but that he went to Kenya on a private visit.
Lueth warned he would “introduce something” in the absence of the media law to control abuse of constitutional provisions in the transitional constitution of South Sudan. He did not specify what exactly he intends to introduce to control media activities within the country.
The minister’s comments contradicted initial report by South Sudan Television that president Kiir was travelling to Kenya for bilateral talks with its president and government. The nature of family issues which needed presidential attention in foreign land equally remains unclear.
(ST)