South Sudan hails relations with Zim

education and capacity building.
The Speaker of Parliament for Africa’s newest nation, Mr James Wani Igga, told reporters after meeting Acting President John Landa Nkomo at his Munhumutapa Offices yesterday that South Sudan had a lot to learn from Zimbabwe.

“I am here at the invitation of the Africa University for a special seminar,” he said.
“They have invited our President His Excellency President Silva Kiir, but he is chasing security issues with the North back home, so he could not come.

“We have a lot in common and our solidarity must continue to grow.”
Mr Igga, who is also the vice-chairman of the ruling Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement said President Mugabe’s attendance at their independence showed the level of cooperation between Harare and Juba.

He said he first visited Zimbabwe in 1991 when a lot of world countries were not willing to associate with them. Mr Igga said about 92 percent of South Sudan’s population was illiterate and he asked for Zimbabwe’s support in that area.

“Zimbabwe has 92 percent literate rate and South Sudan is 92 percent illiterate,” he said. “We want Zimbabwe to assist us with scholarships for capacity building.”
Mr Igga said Juba was ready to support Harare in fighting its problems.

“We are ready to stand by Zimbabwe as young as we are. Even on the issue of sanctions, we think our voice can also help in calling for their removal,” he said.
Mr Igga dismissed reports that the South Sudan government had allowed the United States to set Africom base station in the country.

He said South Sudan had only allowed United Nations Peacekeeping Forces to patrol along the border with North Sudan.
Mr Igga said the border was always under attack from forces from the North and it was important to have UN forces in the area.

Mr Igga was in the country as a special envoy for President Kiir, who was invited for the Sixth Annual Dag Hammarskyjod Commemorative Seminar at Africa University in Mutare.
Earlier, Acting President Nkomo met Swedish ambassador Mr Anders Linden, who called for the resuscitation of reengagement dialogue between Zimbabwe and the European Union. Mr Linden said his country wanted credible elections to be held in Zimbabwe.

He said Harare and Stockholm had cordial relations dating back to the liberation struggle.
“We had a friendly meeting and our discussion goes back to Swedish support of the liberation struggle. We have good relations, but we want to improve them,” he said.

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