South Sudan pledges support for Egypt

The president of South Sudan has vowed to help Egypt overcome its dispute with the African Union (AU). Salva Kiir hosted Omar Metwally, the special envoy of Egypt's interim president Adly Mansour, in Juba on Saturday. During the meeting, Kiir said he would inform leaders of several African countries part of the AU's Peace and Security Council about the latest developments in Egypt to re-activate the country's membership. On July 5, the Peace and Security Council suspended Egypt from the AU, two days after Islamist president Mohammed Morsi was ousted by the military. The AU described his overthrow as "unconstitutional." According to al-Shorouk News, President Kiir was willing to listen and understand Metwally's arguments about the latest developments in Egypt. South Sudan's recently appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said that the Egyptian envoy's visit to the country highlights the close relations between the two nations. Benjamin told Arab Today on Saturday evening that Metwally had arrived in Juba on Friday, for a visit which he described was for the "common interests and benefit" of both South Sudan and Egypt.? Editor of The Citizen newspaper, Nhial Bol told Arab Today that South Sudanese officials are interested in developing relations with Egypt for several reasons, most crucially to help the southern state achieve development in health and education. Bol explained that President Kiir is slowly making his mark, and has more national and regional influence than ever before. He said that Kiir enjoyed a good relationship with leaders of most of the East African nations, and that the Cairo official's visit had come at a good time. Sudanese politician Eng. Abdulla Ali Masar said to Arab Today that the African countries seem to have a more influential role in the AU, than those with Arab roots. He added that the Sudanese government is not interested in meddling with Egypt's internal affairs, and believes only the people of Egypt can shape their destiny.