Kiir and Tshisekedi meet in Juba to discuss bilateral ties and regional challenges.

According to the president’s official Facebook page, Kiir welcomed Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Juba.

The two presidents met to discuss a variety of bilateral and international problems pertaining to the Republic of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit thanked President Tshisekedi and the Congolese people on their country’s recent entrance to the East African Community during their conversations.

The President said that Congo’s membership in the East African Community gives an opportunity to strengthen mutual collaboration in sectors including as commerce, agriculture, infrastructure development, and cross-border movement of people.

Because commerce and movement of people cannot occur in an atmosphere of pervasive insecurity, the two presidents briefly discussed security and agreed that they must work together to restore calm along the border regions.

On the world stage, both presidents expressed their mutual worry about the predicted increase in the cost of vital goods as a result of the continuing conflict in Ukraine. Kiir and Tshisekede agreed on the need of an united African approach on Ukraine’s present crisis, which calls for a peaceful conclusion.

President Felix Tshisekedi, for his part, asked South Sudan to join the rest of the East African countries in the battle against the negative forces that are impeding increased regional collaboration, peace, and security.

President Felix Tshisekedi stated that African Union policies do not allow or encourage sanctions against its member states, and vowed to work with the international community to have sanctions lifted against South Sudan because they do not benefit from the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, but instead delay its implementation.

President Felix Tshisekedi stated that they discussed approaches to strengthen security between South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly at the borders, and that they agreed to prioritize peace and security in the two countries in order to bring development to the two countries.

President Felix also said that they discussed the development of a road between South Sudan with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in order to improve food security in both countries for the benefit of their people.