Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry will participate in the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)'s National Liberation Council meeting in South Sudan that will take place from 3-5 May, to strengthen relations between Egypt and South Sudan, according to ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zaid. Egypt was among the limited African states that were invited to attend the meeting, mainly state guarantors of the Agreement on the Reunification of the SPLM. The meeting aims to support efforts to reunite the SPLM. The National Liberation Council is the second highest organ of the SPLM after the Politburo, consisting of 170 members representing various states in South Sudan. Shoukry is participating on behalf of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The Egyptian participation is part of the ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in South Sudan. Egypt has supported President Salva Kiir's initiative to establish the National Dialogue Steering Committee, as well as hosting talks with Uganda. Since 2005, Egypt has been implementing an integrated strategy to support the development efforts in South Sudan since the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement, through the construction of four electricity stations, a large number of schools and medical clinics, and providing assistance in the field of irrigation and training courses, according to the ministry's statement.
