Kiir returns from UAE after ‘deepening’ relations with Gulf state

JUBA – President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday returned to the country after spending five days in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he has been holding multiple meetings with leaders of the Gulf nation, the presidency said.

Kiir last Sunday left the capital Juba for Abu Dhabi to meet with leaders of the Emirates to discuss economic ties and political bilateral relations between South Sudan and the wealthy Gulf country.

During his stay in the UAE, Kiir met Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, the Ruler of Ajman and the UAE State Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, and discussed with them bilateral relations.

In a statement on Friday evening, the presidency said the head of state returned to the country following what it described as a successful trip and was welcomed at Juba International Airport by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny as well as senior government officials.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his accompanying delegation returned to Juba from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Friday,” the presidency said.

Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the presidential affairs minister who also accompanied Kiir in his trip said “the five-day working visit aimed at opening new investment opportunities between South Sudan and UAE.”

“While in the United Arab Emirates, President Kiir had courtesy meetings with the leadership of UAE and exchanged views on wide range of issues related to deepening bilateral cooperation on areas of agriculture, investment, trade and infrastructure.”