Sudan/Egypt

Juba troubles could de-stabilise Cairo, says Kiir

Article published on the 2008-11-10 Latest update 2008-11-11 10:01 TU

Salva Kiir, leader of South Sudan
(Photo: AFP)

In a visit to Juba on Monday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was warned that instability in South Sudan could also de-stabilise Egypt, and he was urged to put pressure on Khartoum to move ahead on the 2005 peace agreement plans. Salva Kiir, the leader of the autonomous South Sudan, told Mubarak that Egypt, as one of the guarantors of the agreement, must use its position to promote peace, a Kiir spokesman said.

"Egypt can also be de-stabilised by this regional instability,” said Ayom Wol, the South Sudan press secretary. “People are trying to help so that the situation does not get out of hand."

Kiir expressed his concern to Mubarak about the demarcation of the border areas between north and south. This has been hindered by the results of a population census conducted in April to determine who has the right to vote.

National elections, including voting on a referendum for independence or unity have been scheduled for 2009, but analysts say that this is likely to be postponed.

Fears that the whole process could be derailed emerged in May when fighting broke out in Abyei, a contested oil district.

Following his meeting with Kiir, Mubarak issued a brief statement to reporters. "We have so many students [in Egypt] from here and we are going to open a new university," he said.

Mubarak also travelled to Khartoum, where he held talks with Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir.

MENA, Egypt's official news agency, said that Mubarak's visit was "aimed at cementing stability and unity in Sudan".