Mariam Al-Mahdi: Visit of Prime Minister to Juba was Historic

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mariam Al-Saddiq Al-Mahdi, has described the visit of the Prime Minister, Dr. Abdalla Hamdouk, and the accompanying delegation to the Republic of South Sudan as a historic one.

In a press statement at Khartoum Airport upon return of the delegation from Juba, Dr. Mariam said that the negotiations between the two sides proceeded in a steady and confident pace at the political, strategic and security levels, noting that the ministries of Foreign Affairs in both countries were directed to set a temporary road map at specific times toward implementing all the agreements for the interest of the two peoples.

She pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will review all the agreements signed since the year 2012 to update them and to create a twinning relationship between the two countries, based on the developments that have occurred.

The Foreign Minister affirmed that the visit has achieved four goals, namely the peace of Sudan under the auspices of Sudan, peace in Sudan under the auspices of South Sudan, the bilateral relations and then regional developments.

She pointed to the signing of three memoranda of understanding with regard to transport, trade and petroleum, indicating that the joint political and security committee will hold a meeting September 4 - 5 in South Sudan.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that the Prime Minister engaged into intensive negotiations that accomplished many tasks toward boosting peace in the two countries, referring to the presence of a high-level delegation led by the Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan, ambassador Abdul- Rahman Bakhit, especially that Sudan is currently assuming the chairmanship of the IGAD.