Kiir jets off to Cairo for 2-day state visit – presidency

JUBA – South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir Mayardit has this morning traveled to the Egyptian capital Cairo where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with his Egyptian counterparts Abdelfattah al Sisi, the presidency said in a statement this morning.

Yesterday, two presidency sources told Sudans Post that the president will travel for a two-day state visit to the Egyptian capital and would be accompanied by the presidential affairs minister, security advisor and one of the directors of national security.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit left Juba this morning (Sunday 10th October 2021), for a two-day working visit to Cairo, the Arab Republic of Egypt,” the South Sudan presidency said in a statement this morning.

According to the statement, Kiir is accompanied by the Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs Hon Tut Gatluak Manime, Minister of Presidential Affairs Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon Mayiik Ayii Deng.

The statement said Kiir “is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his Egyptian Counterpart His Excellency President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to discuss issues of mutual interest that will strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations between South Sudan and Egypt, as well also discuss regional matters.”

The South Sudanese head of state was seen off by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny at Juba International Airport, the statement added.