Juba/Cairo, March 11, 2018 (SSNA) — Egypt’s foreign minister, Sameh Hassan Shoukr, is scheduled to visit Juba tomorrow (Monday) where he will discuss unspecified east African regional matters South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, according to Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid.
Ahmed said the Egyptian minister will also meet with expected to meet with Kiir’s advisor, Nhial Deng Nhial, and South Sudan national dialogue committee to further discuss bilateral cooperation and other issues important to the dialogue team.
Cairo claims it is supporting Juba’s in its search for a peaceful solution to the ongoing civil war.
In November last year, Egyptian government sponsored a reunification deal between Kiir and other factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). The signing ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Egyptian intelligence in Cairo.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has recently stated that his country is ready to help South Sudan in maintaining security and develop economic opportunities, adding that Egypt and South Sudan are brotherly countries.
In recent years, Egypt has stepped up its presence in East Africa. Regional experts believe that Cairo’s decision to sign mutual pacts with Kampala, Juba, and recently Nairobi is purely motivated by Ethiopia’s ongoing construction of The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Ethiopia has repeatedly said the Dam which Addis Ababa began its construction in 2011 is unstoppable. The Grand Ethiopian Dam, if completed, will be the largest dam in Africa.
Regional observers believe that Egypt is unhappy about Ethiopia’s ambitious dam project.
The South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) has learned that the Egyptian Minister will also deliver a shipment of what Cairo described as “logistical aid” to Juba Monday.