South Sudan president arrives in South Africa

April 16, 2021 (JUBA)- President Salva Kiir on Thursday arrived in Pretoria, South Africa, for talks on bilateral relations with his counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.

Kiir is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Beatrice Khamisa Wani and the Minister of Presidential Affairs Barnaba Marial Benjamin.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit was seen off on Thursday afternoon at Juba international airport by the first deputy Riek Machar and several senior government officials, security, and military officers.

The presidency in Juba said Kiir during the three-day work visit will hold talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on bilateral relations and peace implementation.

Kiir and Ramaphosa will discuss “issues that will strengthen (…) the bilateral relations between the two countries and to discuss issues of mutual interest (…) including the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan”.

However, a South Sudanese official with direct knowledge of the cause of the visit told the Sudan Tribune on Friday that his trip to South Africa is for a medical check because he had collapsed a day before his trip.

The president who appeared tired “had difficulties getting up and walk to his room on Wednesday. He missed his steps and collapsed. But he managed to stand up and walked unassisted”, a source told Sudan Tribune on Friday.

But another official source minimised the incident. He confirmed the collapse saying the president was just exhausted due to the unfinished meetings with newly appointed officials who came to thank him for their appointment.

“But he was looking healthy. He was okay,” he stressed.

(ST)