President Kiir of South Sudan pays a vital visit to UAE
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has begun his eminent second visit to the UAE, upon which hinge a great deal of his nation’s economic hopes, reports The North Africa Post on June 23rd.
The visit takes place against a backdrop of tense political complications. The government of neighboring Sudan remains adversarial to the UAE over the Gulf state’s support for the Rapid Support Forces’ insurgency – though some classify the conflict with the paramilitary group as an outright civil war.
South Sudan is dealing with its own threat of internal hostilities, receiving a peacemaking delegation from the African Union in April, in response to the arrest of the nation’s vice president on President Kiir’s orders. In the same month, the United States revoked visas for South Sudanese citizens, and Norway closed its embassy in Juba in light of gathering volatility. As recently as June 14th, Maghrebi.org reported on the UN’s alert over failing peace talks in South Sudan.
As the country’s political outlook appears bleak, President Kiir is trying to salvage its economic prospects. By promoting his nation’s investment outlook to Emirati leaders and interest groups. Presidential Press Secretary David Majur confirmed that a diversified portfolio would be presented in the Emirates. This statement comes as the country attempts to shake its heavy dependence on its oil industry.
A decade-and-a-half-long patronage of the young country by the UAE is argued to have kept it from collapse. The UAE not only offers investment to the new nation, but provides indispensable humanitarian and developmental aid, and works to improve global investment confidence in South Sudan.
Despite, or perhaps because of growing concerns at home, President Kiir will be hoping to attract a large aid and investment package for his fledgeling state.
The North Africa Post, Maghrebi.org,
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
