Today, the head of Sudan’s armed forces traveled to neighboring South Sudan for discussions with President Salva Kiir.
Burhan has visited South Sudan twice since the onset of the devastating conflict in his nation.
Upon Gen. Al-Burhan’s arrival, South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ramadan Goc, told the media that the discussions between the two leaders would focus on matters of mutual concern.
“There are many pressing issues for both nations. The public will be informed of the topics discussed at a joint press conference to be held by the foreign affairs ministries of South Sudan and Sudan after their meeting,” Goc stated.
Since February of this year, the main pipeline transporting oil from South Sudan through Sudan for export has experienced interruptions due to the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudan’s petroleum minister issued a letter on March 16 declaring a force majeure on oil deliveries through the pipeline to a terminal near Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast.
An anonymous government official told local media in Juba that South Sudanese officials and the visiting Sudanese leader are expected to discuss the status of the 2018 renewed peace agreement and its progress thus far.
The continuation of the transitional government was necessitated by the need to draft a permanent constitution.
The extension of the transitional period was subject to conditions set by the SPLM-IO, which aimed to ensure that the guarantor would exert pressure on the parties involved in case of any delays or issues in the implementation process.
General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Sudan’s leader, is in Juba to discuss the recent extension and the need for a guarantor to oversee the execution of the peace agreement.
Kenya’s President William Ruto is also expected to visit South Sudan soon, the official said.
Sudan and Uganda are the two guarantors of South Sudan’s peace agreement.