Egypt supports reaching peace in South Sudan: Sisi

CAIRO – 29 October 2018: Egypt supports establishing peace in South Sudan, within the framework of the peace agreement reached by the South Sudanese parties, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi told South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Monday, Oct. 29.

In a telephone call, Sisi remarked that Egypt also supports the efforts aimed to realize the aspirations of the South Sudanese people for stability and development.

Presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady said that Sisi stressed Egypt’s keenness to promote the bilateral relations between the two countries and provide technical support for South Sudan.

Rady further remarked that Kiir expressed his appreciation to the president, lauding Egypt’s support for peace and stability in South Sudan, and confirming that his country will continue cooperating with Egypt in different fields.

On Feb. 20, Sisi received Mayik Aye Deng, minister of presidential affairs in South Sudan and special envoy of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in Cairo.

Sisi and Deng tackled various recent developments, including the recent political developments in Juba and the exerted efforts to restore order and stability in South Sudan, Rady added.

South Sudan has been suffering a civil war for five years; tens of thousands were killed, while millions were displaced as the country plunged into famine.

Cairo hosted a three-day meeting with the South Sudan People's Liberation Movement on November 13 at the headquarters of the Egyptian Intelligence Service as it witnessed the signing of a political agreement between South Sudan's rivals.

The agreement was signed under the auspices of President Sisi and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

Signing the agreement is deemed a crucial step towards a permanent cease-fire in South Sudan before the renewed peace talks that were scheduled to take place in early February in Ethiopia.

Sixteen people have been killed, including three children, less than a month after South Sudan's cease-fire started, reported monitors.

Government and rebel forces have been fighting since December 2013 due to infighting among rows of the popular movement.

Both sides agreed that Egypt's General Intelligence will make the necessary coordination to carry out what was agreed upon during the meeting.