Kiir commends Ethiopia’s economic progress

JUBA – President Salva Kiir has hailed Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali for political and economic progress in the Horn of Africa’s country, including the filling of the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Ethiopia has been facing multiple challenges including diplomatic tiffs with the Tigray region and cold relations with the neighboring countries of Sudan and Egypt over the filling of the GERD. The leadership of Dr. Abiy has ignored the criticism and went ahead with the implementation.

In a press release from the office of the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Kiir traveled to Addis Ababa to mediate the tripartite conflict the country was going through.

“The objective of the visit was for the President to express the stand of the people of South Sudan with the government and people of Ethiopia during their difficult times and for H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit to extend his hands to mediate peace in Ethiopia,” the statement partly read.

It added, “H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit appreciated the political and economic reforms implemented by the Prime Minister as well as the development projects being implemented with all the challenges the country is going through.”

Extending hand

In June, Presidential Advisor Tut Gatluak announced that President Kiir had offered to mediate the Ethiopia-Sudan border conflict over fertile land of the al- Fashaga area, where both countries claim ownership.

“President Salva Kiir has expressed readiness to mediate between Sudan and Ethiopia to reach a political and diplomatic solution according to the recognized international borders in the preservation of the fraternal ties between the two countries and the peace in the region,” Gatluak told media after meeting Sudan Prime Minister, Dr.  Abdallah Hamdok.

On Thursday, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Ethiopian Prime Minister, congratulated President Salva Kiir for ensuring strong bilateral ties between the two nations, adding that South Sudan was essential to Ashara during hard times.

The development comes after President Kiir made an unprecedented one-day working visit to Ethiopia on Thursday and met Dr. Abiy to hold bilateral talks.

“Thank you for President Salva Kiir for the commitment to strengthen ties between our two countries,” said Dr. Abiy.

“In our discussions, we have also explored the necessary to build on economic ties through infrastructure development. All-weather friends like South Sudan are essential in our time of need.” tweeted Dr. Abiy on Thursday.

Ethiopia has also been criticized for the inhumane treatment of Tigrians which could likely amount to a crime against humanity and war crimes.

Again, both Ethiopia and Sudan have been trading accusations of using armed forces to ambush each others’ troops and deploying strong reinforcements along the border.

The situation in the Tigray region has remained tense with thousands inaccessible for aids due to armed confrontation between Tigray forces and Ethiopian troops.