South Sudan to establish diplomatic relations with Qatar – diplomat

WASHINGTON – South Sudan government has signed an agreement with the state of Qatar to establish diplomat relations, the country’s ambassador to Washington Akuei Bona Malual told Sudans Post this morning.

Qatar has an embassy in Qatar, but the world’s youngest country does not have diplomatic representation in the wealthy gulf county.

Speaking to Sudans Post this morning, Malual said the country has on Thursday signed an agreement with Qatar to establish diplomatic relations.

“I and the Qatari permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, Shiekha Alya Ahmed signed an agreement yesterday, Thursday, to establish diplomatic relations between our two sisterly countries,” Malual said.

“Yes they have an embassy in our country, but we don’t one in Qatar and with this agreement, we will prepare for a diplomatic office in the state of Qatar, he added.

The Qatari News Agency confirmed on its website the latest development.

“The State of Qatar and the Republic of South Sudan yesterday signed a joint statement for the establishment of diplomatic relations at the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in New York,” it said.

“HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani signed on behalf of the State of Qatar and Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Sudan to the UN Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal signed on behalf of his country.

“The two sides affirmed their desire to strengthen and develop friendly relations and co-operation in the political, economic, commercial, and cultural fields, stressing the importance of establishing bilateral relations in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

“They expressed confidence that establishing diplomatic relations will contribute to developing bilateral cooperation and consolidating world peace.”