Juba, South Sudan – Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrived in South Sudan’s capital on Monday for high-level bilateral talks with President Salva Kiir Mayardit. The meeting comes as Sudan grapples with ongoing conflict and its neighboring countries face the humanitarian consequences.
Burhan’s visit to Juba marks his second such meeting with a neighboring country in recent months. In July, he hosted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and relations between the two countries have since improved. Ethiopia has resumed flights to Port Sudan, the temporary capital of the Sudanese junta.
South Sudan, a close ally of Sudan, has been grappling with the influx of Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict. The country has already taken in over 2.2 million Sudanese refugees, straining its resources and humanitarian capacity.
The talks between Burhan and Kiir are expected to focus on enhancing regional peace and stability through constructive dialogue and cooperation. The leaders will discuss pressing issues impacting both countries, including the humanitarian crisis and the ongoing conflict.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has raised concerns about the recruitment of young men from South Sudan by the warring parties in Sudan. Additionally, the conflict has disrupted South Sudan’s oil exports, leading to a loss of revenue and further economic challenges.
