South Sudan delegation in Kenya for talks on rising energy costs

Author: Diko D Andrew | Published: 16 hours ago

Government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny heads the delegation

A high-level South Sudanese delegation is in Kenya for government-to-government talks aimed at addressing rising energy prices and strengthening cooperation in the energy sector.

In a post on the official Faceboo page, the delegation, led by Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services Minister Ateny Wek Ateny, arrived in Nairobi on Sunday ahead of formal discussions with Kenyan authorities.

The talks come as high fuel and energy costs continue to put pressure on transport, businesses and households in South Sudan, contributing to higher prices for goods and services.

The engagement is being conducted under the Ministerial High-Level Committee on Economic Reforms, which established a sub-committee to engage the Kenyan government on energy-related challenges affecting South Sudan.

Ahead of the formal bilateral talks, the delegation on Monday held consultations with South Sudanese energy-sector officials, including Petroleum Undersecretary Santino Ayuel Longar and Nile Petroleum Managing Director Emmanuel Athiei Ayual.

Minister Ateny said the delegation had a full mandate to engage in open and honest discussions on the energy challenges facing the country.

The South Sudanese delegation includes Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Wek Mamer Kuol, Trade and Industry Minister Dr. Labanya Mathias and Deputy Finance Minister Thok Turuk, Deputy Finance Minister.

The formal talks with the Kenyan government are expected to focus on existing energy arrangements, possible measures to reduce energy costs and ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries.