Kiir travels to New York for first time in nearly 10 years

JUBA, SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit traveled to New York on Sunday to attend the 78^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, his first visit to the United States in nearly 10 years.

In statements to journalists just before Kiir’s departure, presidential affairs minister Barnaba Marial said that the president will address the UN on the implementation of the peace agreement and speak on the Sudanese conflict.

“President Kiir will address the UN General assembly on the status of the implementation of the peace agreement and the steps the country is undertaking to prepare for 2024 general elections,” Marial told the media.

According to a statement by the presidential press unit, “Kiir will highlight the crisis in Sudan and stress his role on how he will resolve the current crisis in the Sudan,” during his address to the General Assembly.

The statement further said that the South Sudanese head of state “will also discuss regional issues related to the East African Community and the role South Sudan is playing in the region to promote peace and stability.”

Kiir was last in the United States in September 2014, when he attended the 69^th session of the UN General Assembly.

His relationship with the US government has been strained in recent years, due to concerns about human rights abuses and corruption in South Sudan.