South Sudan’s Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday to bolster economic ties and attract foreign investment, his office said.
Mel, who heads South Sudan’s economic cluster, was accompanied by senior government officials and will deliver a message from President Salva Kiir to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, his office said.
Oyiti Ajawin, Mel’s press secretary, told reporters the visit aimed to enhance cooperation between the two countries and attract investment to South Sudan. Mel is also expected to meet Emirati business leaders to explore new economic opportunities, Ajawin said.
The trip marks the latest in a series of diplomatic engagements between Juba and Abu Dhabi, following Kiir’s 10-day visit to the Gulf state last month.
South Sudan and the UAE maintain diplomatic and trade relations, with the UAE providing humanitarian aid to the conflict-affected country.
The vice president’s trip comes as South Sudan faces severe cash shortages and regional pressure on Kiir to resume stalled talks with First Vice President Riek Machar, the opposition leader who has been under house arrest since March.