South Sudan’s President Kiir to head to Qatar

South Sudan’s delegation in Doha/ photo by Gore Anthony

By Ruot George additional report by Gore Anthony

An advance team of South Sudan’s Government delegation comprising of the Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs Tut Gatluak, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Investment, Roads and Bridges, Higher Education, Agriculture, Wildlife, Tourism and Conservation, Governor of Bank of South Sudan and the Managing Director of Nilepet, the Secretary General of Islamic Council is in Doha, Qatar to prepare the ground ahead of President Kiir’s expected visit to the Middle East Country.

The team arrived in Doha on Sunday.

South Sudan’s government has expressed concern over the ongoing Sudan’s crisis following a military coup in October and the consequent protests by the civilians demanding a handover of government to civilians.

South Sudan’s oil passes through Sudan on its way to the international market.

South Sudan’s government depends on oil money to fund 98 percent of its budget but oil workers in Sudan have downed their tools, joining protest, demanding that the military relinquishes power to the civilians headed by detained Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok.

President Kiir’s planned visit comes at a time when the fate of South Sudan’s oil export is in the hands of protestors and the military leaders in Sudan.