President Kiir jets back from UAE with bold economic assurances
President Salva Kiir has pledged to woo investors to South Sudan to help the country develop from war and reach levels attained by its neighbours.
On his arrival at the Juba International Airport, on Wednesday, President Kiir made it clear to the South Sudanese business community that “success requires liberation and for us to build conditions in the country that do not currently exist.”
“South Sudan must ensure that any dollar invested from outside or within receives respect and care so that investors know we are a place and people of integrity, where they are protected,” he said. “Our culture and the rule of law must function together to safeguard the interests of investors and ordinary citizens of South Sudan.
Kiir reminded the people that they are all agents of economic and social transformation.
“In this regard, the UAE provides an inspiring example of how effective management of natural resources in the national interest can both categorise development from within and also build a country’s cultural foundations, “he stated.
He encouraged South Sudanese to adopt a ‘‘development mindset that starts with escalating our diverse natural and human resources’’, adding that the ‘‘South Sudanese can transform our material situation from a mindset of abundance.’’
The UAE trip marks a further step in President Kiir’s mission to tackle poverty as the government’s primary domestic policy agenda based on the fact that the ‘‘Revitalised Peace Agreement has delivered relative peace to the country.’’
He visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 18 – 23, 2022, at the invitation of the UAE government, and he inaugurated the celebration of South Sudan National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Last week, the Presidential press unit wrote on the Facebook page that the head of state left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the Dubai Expo ‘‘at the invitation of the government of UAE.’’
“On his three-day working visit, H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit is expected to participate in Dubai Expo 2020, and hold bilateral discussions with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates,’’ the Office of the President revealed.
The President was seen off by the First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar Teny, and other senior government officials.
He was also accompanied by the Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs, Tut Gatluak; Minister for Presidential Affairs, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mayiik Ayii Deng; Minister of Finance and Planning, Agak Achuil Lual; Minister of Culture, Museums, and National Heritage, Nadia Arop Dudi Mayom; Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, Rizik Zachariah Hassan; and Director General of General Intelligence Bureau, Simon Yien Makuac.
The City Review tried to get comments from the Presidential Press Secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny, but efforts to reach him were unfruitful as he could not pick up the repeated phone calls made to him.
Diplomatic mission
This visit came after Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to South Sudan, Mohamed Salem Alrashedi, presented credentials to the President alongside Gershon Keder, the Ambassador of Israel to South Sudan, and Sianga Kivuila Samuel Abilio, the Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to South Sudan.
The president welcomed the accredited ambassadors during the accreditation ceremony, and urged them to strengthen bilateral relations between their countries and South Sudan, as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mayiik Ayii Deng, pledged his total cooperation with them.
This is the first external diplomatic trip the President has embarked on since his trip to Qatar was foiled last year after a high-level delegation landed in Qatar and a number of them tested positive for COVID-19.
The President in 2021 sought bilateral relations with several countries, including Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Qatar, among others. It was worth noting that he had played a key role in the restoration of peace in the region, including Sudan and Ethiopia, to mention but a few.
His efforts did not end in vain as the Juba Peace Agreement led to seemingly a stable Sudan. He has been pushing hard to ensure that the political stalemate in Sudan subsides for the benefit f the two countries.
In February 2021, Ethiopia welcomed South Sudan’s decision to mediate the stalemate between Addis Ababa and over the border.
The spokesperson of the Ethiopian ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Dina Mufti, said they wanted a diplomatic solution and lauded the peace lovers.
“Ethiopia appreciates the initiatives of all concerned countries and bodies that offered to assist in resolving the border issue,’’ said Mufti.
‘‘Ethiopia is always ready to negotiate and solve the issue peacefully.” The two countries’ border agreement was signed between Ethiopia and the British Colonial Administration.”
[Additional reportage by Mamer Abraham]
