Egypt's amb. in Juba: Cairo keen on stability of South Sudan

Egypt's Ambassador to South Sudan Ayman al Gamal asserted that Cairo and Juba coordinated stances at all levels, noting that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi reiterated the importance of boosting stability of South Sudan during his recent visits in Africa.

Interviewed by MENA, Gamal said coordination between the two countries was fruitful when Egypt backed South Sudan at the UN Security Council to avoid imposing sanctions on Juba, adding that such cooperation was also crystallized at the African Union.

Memorandums of understanding have been signed between Cairo and South Sudan President Silva Kiir during his visit to Cairo in 2014.

A batch of assistance were offered to Juba including an executive program for the higher education, 250 university scholarships, 50 post-graduate studies along with other cooperation in the fields of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, the ambassador added.

Asked on the Egyptian investments in South Sudan, the ambassador said security uncertainty as well as the damaged infrastructure could impede the establishment of new investments in the country.

The next phase will also witness the dispatch of medical convoys to South Sudan to help residents who suffer lack of medical care, the ambassador said.

The ambassador noted that Kiir's recent visit to Cairo resulted in reaching an agreement on forming a joint committee between Cairo and Juba to make a feasibility study on the infrastructure, energy and roads projects urgently needed by Juba. 

Egypt will seek to secure a financial funding from Gulf, Arab and African countries, especially the African Development Bank, to accomplish such projects in Juba, the ambassador noted.

Source: MENA