Egypt's Minister of Irrigation, Hossam Moghazi, is due to fly to South Sudan on Monday in a two-day visit to enact cooperation agreements signed during President Salva Kiir Mayardit's recent visit to Egypt, Aswat Masriya reported. Moghazi said he will witness the inauguration of several water projects as part of the Egyptian grant to South Sudan amounting to 26.6 million dollars, state-run MENA reported. Four wells have already been completed, according to Moghazi. He added that a 40-hectare model farm will be established West of Bahr al-Ghazal area equipped with modern and sophisticated irrigation systems. Egypt's President Abdelfattah al-Sisi met with his South Sudanese counterpart in Cairo on November 22. Foreign Minister Sameh Shurki stressed that talks between Sisi and Salva Kiir have confirmed Cairo and Juba's interests in developing their water resources, and protecting South Sudan against the formation of swamps. Both states signed, for the first time, a bilateral cooperation agreement in the field of water resources' management and the establishment of projects, mandating the formation of a joint commission allowing the permanent presence of an official Egyptian irrigation delegation in South Sudan. Moghazi held discussions with his South Sudanese counterpart, Jemma Nunu Kumba, late October, after which they issued a joint statement declaring their agreement to develop mutual mechanisms for water resources' management to achieve shared interests. They also agreed to sign a cooperation protocol comprehensive of these mechanisms as soon as possible. Source : Ahram online
