By Mamer Abraham
Recently concluded Saudi-Africa Summit has resolved to consider robust opportunities and novel alliances between Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit returned to Juba with his accompanying delegation yesterday after successful attendance.
According to the presidential press, President Kiir wooed his counterpart into strong bilateral relations with South Sudan.
“The Summit calls for cooperation in areas of trade and industry and opening new alliances between the African continent and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” read the statement on the president’s page upon Kiir’s return to the capital yesterday.
“While in Riyadh, President Kiir engaged with his counterparts on ways to bolster the country’s bilateral relations and diplomatic cooperation with other nations,” it added.
The statement further noted that the head of state further discussed with regional leaders’ ways of addressing the crisis in Sudan.
Dr. James Pitia Morgan, the minister for foreign affairs, said the summit was meant to explore collaborations between Saudi Arabia and the African continent.
On Thursday last week, the head of state left for the Saudi capital of Riyadh to participate in the Saudi-Africa summit aimed at establishing the future of the global economy.
On Friday, he participated in the inauguration of the Saudi-African summit, attended by leaders from 50 countries, to address political and security issues and boost energy solutions and investment.
He highlighted the role South Sudan plays in regional security stabilization.
On Saturday, the president held a sideline meeting with the presidents of Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan, where the leaders gave him their support to lead the way in addressing the conflict in neighboring Sudan.
“Both President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, and Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti expressed their support for President Kiir’s peace efforts in Sudan,” read the statement from the presidential press.
According to the minister for foreign affairs, Kiir will soon start hosting meetings with the Sudanese parties to address the Sudanese conflict.