Nigerian president tells Kiir he is ready to help South Sudanese

ADDIS ABABA (AGENCIES) – The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said that Nigeria is always willing to extend a helping hand to the Republic of South Sudan towards political and economic stability.

This is as he expressed concerns over the political instability of Libya, saying that so long as the country remains unstable, the proliferation of arms and light weapons in the Sahel region would persist.

Buhari said this on Tuesday in Addis Ababa during a bilateral meeting with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘We will always extend a helping hand to South Sudan, President Buhari says’.

The President who assured the full support of Nigeria to all efforts to bring long-term stability and prosperity to the continent said, ‘‘Nigeria will contribute its quota as much as possible to the development of South Sudan. Take us into confidence and ask us what we can do.”

Stressing the need for cooperation among developing countries, Buhari said with investments in education, improved economy, and healthcare, things will surely improve.

On the situation in Guinea and Mali, he reiterated that African leaders must support efforts geared towards the return of democracy in the countries.

In his remarks, President Kirr, who acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, appreciated the country’s effort in the liberation struggle of South Sudan.

He also commended the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, for assisting in the education of many South Sudanese girls in the country.

‘‘In West Africa, ECOWAS intervenes immediately whenever a country has a problem. That should be adopted in East and Central Africa,’’ he said.

President Buhari and President Kirr were among several African leaders that attended the inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia for a second five-year term in office.