Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Thursday stressed Egypt's support for a resolution to the political crisis in South Sudan while attending the opening session of the South Sudan Liberation Movement's (SPLM) National Liberation Council in Juba, according to Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid. The opening session, which convenes from 3-5 May, was attended by President of Uganda Yoweri Musevenias well as South Sudanese President Salva Kiir. Abu Zeid explained that the meetings in Juba are aimed at finding an agreed solution to the current crisis in South Sudan. He added that Egypt's vision is based on the country's need to resolve the crises through negotiations while preserving South Sudan's sovereignty and regional integration. In a speech, Shoukry, who is attending on behalf of the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, highlighted the commitment of the guarantor states to the Arusha Agreement to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for the people of Southern Sudan. "Egypt will continue its efforts to support the brothers in South Sudan in order to achieve peace," said the Egyptian minister. He expressed his hopes that the council's discussions will contribute to reaching an agreement that includes all the parties in South Sudan, as well as the success of the National Dialogue Committee in its efforts to achieve internal consensus. The 12-page Arusha agreement was signed in Tanzania in January 2015 by representatives from three conflicting factions of the SPLM party, outlining key steps towards a reunification of the party. The National Liberation Council is the second-highest level in the SPLM after its political bureau, and consists of 170 members as representatives of different states in South Sudan, according to Abu Zeid. Meanwhile, Shoukry pointed out that South Sudan can not afford to miss another opportunity to achieve peace and stability after years of its people's suffering, and praised President Kiir's ongoing efforts to achieve security and peace in the country. Shoukry also stressed Egypt's continuing role to support the political and economic stability of South Sudan. "Egypt has faith in justice and peace which will be meeting the rights of all parties and which could only be achieved through the implementation of the rule of law," Abu Zeid's statement read. During the session, Shoukry highlighted the historical relations between the two countries in the political, economic, social and cultural fields, as well as joint coordination at the bilateral, regional and international levels. The top diplomat said that this meeting is the best proof of the strong ties between Juba and Cairo.
