BREAKING: Kiir travels to South Africa amid health speculations

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has this afternoon traveled to South Africa after reported deterioration of his health, two presidency staffers told Sudans Post this afternoon.

“The president has left the country and has traveled to South Africa. He is going to see his doctor in there and he would be back in a week’s time or as soon as he concludes his health mission,” one official who refused to be named said from Juba.

Another official said the president has some issues with his heart and would be in the southern African country for not more than one week that he said would be based on recommendation of his doctors.

“I am not sure if the president will return tomorrow or the day after. He would be there for a duration that would be recommended by the doctors and maybe he will stay for not more than one week I think,” the official added.

However, the office of the president said in a statement that Kiir was travelling to South Africa for a state visit in which he is expected to meet South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss bilateral relations.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit left Juba this morning Thursday 15th April 2021, for a working visit to Pretoria, South Africa. The President is accompanied by the Minister of Presidential Affairs Hon. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Beatrice Khamisa Wani,” the presidency said in a statement.

“He is expected to hold bilateral meetings with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on issues that will strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations between the two Countries and to discuss issues of mutual interest that includes the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” it adds.