MOSCOW, Russia
Visiting South Sudan President, Salva Kiir agreed in a meeting with Russia’s president to expand their relationship in energy, trade and other areas, notably oil.
Kiir and President Vladimir
Putin met in Moscow on Thursday and also discussed political and security
matters in South Sudan, which is preparing for its first presidential election in
December 2024. The country won independence from Sudan in 2011, and Kiir has
led the country since then.
According to a video of the
leaders’ public statements posted online by the Kremlin, Putin said the
development of oil refineries in South Sudan with the participation of Russian
companies would strengthen ties.
“This is only the beginning.
We have many good opportunities in a variety of fields, including energy,”
Putin said.
Currently, Russia’s Safinat
Group is working on an oil refinery in South Sudan’s Unity state.
Russia's invitation to Kiir to
visit came as global powers reach out to African nations for support regarding
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
South Sudan is under pressure
from the United States and other allies to more quickly implement a peace deal
signed in 2018 to end a five-year civil war and prepare for the election.
For its part, South Sudan
wants arms embargos removed. Russia, as a permanent member of the United
Nations Security Council, could help.
Kiir said “the world dictates
that no one can survive or succeed alone,” and told Putin that the young
country needs “strong friends and you are one of them.”
Putin and Kiir also discussed
peace and security in Africa and international affairs. The conflict in
neighboring Sudan has sent thousands of people into South Sudan, whose
humanitarian and other resources were already badly strained.
This is the second time the
South Sudanese president has visited Russia. Kiir attended the first
Russia-Africa summit in 2019.
Putin said Russia would assist
South Sudan in handling its domestic political situation and ensuring security.
“We will do our ultimate to
support you in this domain,” Putin said.
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