South Sudan’s Kiir calls off state of nation address

November 12, 2015 (JUBA) – A state of the nation address by the South Sudanese president, initially scheduled for Thursday had to be called off for technical adjustments.

The cancellation came just as cabinet ministers waited for President Salva Kiir to deliver the highly anticipated address, the second since he signed a peace deal on 26 August 2015.

“The speech of the president to the nation that was expected today, has been now postponed until further notice, it is not indefinitely, due to some pressing issues,” Ateny Wek Ateny, the president spokesman said.

“[There are some pressing issues] that have [come] up whcih need to be incorporated into the speech the president’s speech because they are of importance,” he continued.

The presidential aide did not, however, provide reasons for cancellation of the address, but cited the need for adequate preparations and the need continue working with the leadership and other political forces to come out with more coherent and unified position on how to address national issues, including intensifying engagement to harmonise opinions on various matters and press for dialogue to bring about a long-term solution to the country’s political crisis.

Political analysts anticipated had anticipated that the South Sudanese leader’s address would focus on the economy as the young nation grapples with high fuel and food prices.

It remains unclear as to when the South Sudan leader would deliver his long-awaited speech.

(ST)