Sunday, December 22, 2024

President Kiir, Sudan’s al Burhan discuss oil, border security

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) Chairman, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan on Dec. 4, 2024 (PPU photo)

December 4, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) Chairman, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan on Wednesday agreed to cooperate on oil, trade and border security, in addition to striving towards revitalizing and reviving bilateral relations.

The meeting between the two leaders took place in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Undersecretary of South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs ministry, Majak Filmon Majok said al Burhan’s visit to Juba came within the framework of the strong relations between the two countries, adding that the two presidents discussed a number of common issues.

He expressed optimism that al Burhan’s visit will contribute to strengthening the cooperative relations between Sudan and neighbouring South Sudan in a way that serves the interests of their people.

For his part, the Sudanese Ambassador to Juba Lt. Gen. Issam-Eddin Karar said the closed meeting mainly focused on joint issues between the two countries, cooperation files and bilateral relations.

He said the meeting would have a positive impact on the path of cooperation between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Undersecretary of Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hussein Al-Amin said Al-Burhan visited Juba within the framework of ongoing consultations between the two leaders.

According to Al-Amin, President Kiir was also briefed on the situation in Sudan where fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have intensified since 2023.

During the meeting, al Burhan who also doubles as the commander-in-chief of the Sudanese military highlighted the progress of the armed forces, regular forces and joint forces in all areas of operations.

The meeting was also attended by the Sudanese Minister of Energy and Oil, Dr. Mohi-Eddin El-Naeem and the Director General of the General Intelligence Service, General Ahmed Ibrahim Mufaddal.

(ST)