Sudan President Bashir backs CS Amina Mohammed’s AU post candidature

Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has backed Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed’s candidature for African Union chairperson position.

Bashir made the announcement after holding bilateral talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Presidential Palace in Khartoum on Saturday.

Other issues that were discussed include regional security, bilateral trade and acts of ensuring the stability of South Sudan and Somalia.

Kenya and Sudan host refugees from South Sudan and Somalia, and the two Presidents said stability of the two volatile states was critical.

The two presidents also agreed to expand trade and cooperation between their countries, with President Kenyatta inviting Sudanese nationals to explore tourism, hospitality, and financial sector opportunities in Kenya.

President Kenyatta, who is on a two-day official visit to the Sudan, said his visit is aimed at increasing trade between the two countries and also include the objective to open up trade routes to Chad through Port Sudan.

He said Kenya wishes to have a direct road link with Khartoum to maximize trade benefits between the two countries.

“Kenya is working on improving the road from Kitale – Lodwar and into South Sudan and it would be ideal if the road was able to connect to Khartoum,” said President Kenyatta.

After the end of the bilateral talks, President Bashir hosted a State Banquet in honour of President Kenyatta.

Ambassador Amina Mohammed and her Sudanese counterpart, who briefed the media after the meetings, said the two Presidents had agreed to undertake more measures to increase bilateral trade.

She said Kenya and Sudan will today enter into agreements in the areas of mining, sugar and oil industry.