Sudan, Kenya vow to sustain peace in South Sudan

(radiotamazuj.org)

Sudan and Kenya have promised to play their role in sustaining peace and stability in neighbouring South Sudan.

This came after a meeting between Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Deputy Chairman of the Sudan Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, in Nairobi on Monday.

“South Sudan is important to us as it is to Sudan in the peace of the region. Kenya will do what it can to ensure peace in South Sudan,” said Dagalo.

Dagalo further said they were working to ensure the South Sudan peace agreement is fully implemented. He said there were complexities that still needed to be worked on but promised they were keen on clearing them. 

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Kenya will continue to enhance its relations with Sudan so as to foster the existing bilateral ties enjoyed by the two Eastern African countries.

Rigathi said his country was keen on ensuring the ties between the two nations remained strong and mutually beneficial.  

 “We appreciate the cooperation between our countries. Sudan imports a lot of tea from Kenya and we would like you to import more because our tea is the best in the world,” said the DP.

Both countries are members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) which has been spearheading the peace process in South Sudan. 

Last week, Kenya’s President William Ruto announced that the regional bloc IGAD will hold a Summit before the end of January, with a focus on the peace process in South Sudan.

South Sudan is governed by a transitional government formed under the peace agreement signed in neighbouring Ethiopia.

On 4 August 2022, parties to the peace agreement extended the agreement, postponing general elections until late 2024. 

The extension was signed by the parties due to the lack of progress on many provisions of the peace agreement.