South Sudan asks Egypt to support unity government
June 3, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, on Friday said it was time the Egyptian government and friends in the Arab world region and countries joined international community to extend hands of support to the transitional government of national unity (TGoNU), which he formed following the return of his main political rival and first deputy in government, Riek Machar.
“Peace is the vital need of the people and the Government of this country. I welcome you and encourage you to interact with members of my government. I know your arrival this time has a special objective, and that objective is the bilateral agreement, bilateral security agreement at which special arrangements have been established as a result of which, and your arrival has laid the foundation for that and it gives us hope to look at the future,” president Kiir told the visiting delegation.
The head of state, according to the minister in the office of the president, Mayiik Ayii Deng, said the unity government had no opposition and the international community should now provide support.
“The transitional government of national unity has now been formed. It is a unity government which will work as one government. There is no opposition, no SPLM-IO. It is the government of national unity and if there is a support, it should be given to this unity government,” said Kiir who was quoted by the minister in his office.
Headed by the Assistant Foreign Minister, Osama Mahajoub, the delegation held talks with officials from the government and at the secretariat of the camp of the governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) allied to president Kiir.
The meeting, according to Bol Makueng, head of information at the secretariat of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-Juba) discussed the importance of the implementation of the peace agreement.
Makueng said the government and the party were encouraged and impressed by the support the Egyptian government has provided to the South Sudanese in Egypt whom he said are allowed by the authorities to work and study freely while Cairo can pay up to about 10% of the expenses of the universities.
On his part, Mahajoub said his country and the leadership looked forward “to continuing to work to help the parties to achieve a mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for an opportunity for investors to come to the country.
(ST)