In a statement, the presidency said Kiir will on the sidelines of the summit meet his Kenyan and Djibouti counterparts to discuss several important regional issues, especially the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
“President Salva Kiir Mayardit has this morning travelled to Djibouti to attend a two day consultative tripartite meeting with his counterparts, Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh,” the presidency statement said.
“Upon arrival in Djibouti, the three heads of State are expected to deliberate on issues of regional peace and security, particularly the ongoing conflict in the neighboring Sudan,” the statement added.
The statement said that Kiir, as the leading mediator on Sudan “is expected to brief his counterparts on the unfolding situation as well as the progress made to de-escalate the fighting, permanent ceasefire and opening of the humanitarian corridors in the capital Khartoum.”
The president is accompanied by a team of senior government officials including the acting minister of foreign affairs, Deng Dau and the minister of presidential affairs Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin and was seen off by his first deputy Riek Machar Teny.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said President Kiir is also expected on Monday to join the ordinary summit of the IGAD heads of the State and government which will discuss a myriad of issues concerning regional peace and security.