Kiir travels to Rwanda, DRC, and Burundi amid regional tensions

JUBA – South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, on Thursday afternoon embarked on a regional tour, starting with Rwanda, to engage East African Community (EAC) leaders in resolving growing tensions among member states.

Kiir, who currently chairs the EAC, will meet with Rwandan President Paul Kagame during his one-day visit, according to a statement from his office.

“The President…traveled to Rwanda, on a one-day working visit aimed at engaging leaders to discuss ways of ending growing tensions amongst the member states,” the statement said.

Kiir’s press secretary, Lily Adhieu, further disclosed that the head of state will also visit Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during his trip.

“The President will also proceed to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively to meet the leaders to settle their disputes amicably,” she said in the statement.

Kiir was seen off at Juba International Airport by First Vice President Riek Machar and senior government officials.

He is accompanied by foreign, and East African affairs ministers, among other officials.

Specific details regarding the nature of the tensions within the EAC were not provided in the statement.

However, regional relations have been strained in recent months, with disputes over issues such as border security and political interference simmering between some member states.

Kiir’s visit aims to bridge the gap and find solutions through dialogue and diplomacy.