From the Sudan Tribune

The visit comes amid strained relations between Khartoum and Kampala as the two countries trade accusation of support to rebel groups. Sudan accuses Uganda of harbouring rebel groups member of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) while Uganda claims that the rebels of the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) are in western Sudan.

Last week a Sudanese presidential assistant accused Kampala’s representative in the African union Peace and security Council (AUPSC) of orchestrating a meeting in Addis Ababa last August between 15-member body and Sudanese opposition leaders.

The official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) said vice-president Hasabo Mohamed Abdel Rahman chaired on Thursday a meeting with executives of the concerned ministries to prepare for the visit.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Obeid-Allah Mohamed Obeid-Allah said in a press statement that the meeting highlighted the importance of the visit on account of the fact that “Museveni is an African leader who has a major role in the region, and is keen on communicating with Sudan and playing a positive role on issues of mutual concern”

“We are confident that the Ugandan side has demonstrated good faith with respect to the security issues that will be discussed by the two sides,” the minister further said.

Since several months, SRF leaders stopped to hold their meetings in Uganda left the east African country.

The minister pointed out that Museveni will address a symposium on democracy and freedom in Africa, organized by the Strategic Studies Centre, and will visit Africa International University.

Observers in Khartoum point that the possible normalisation in ties between the two countries would help to bring stability in South Sudan which has strong economic relations with the two countries.

KENYATTA HOLDS BRIEF TALKS WITH AL-BASHIR

Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta stopped over at Khartoum airport on Thursday evening on his way back home from Italy. He was received at the airport by his Sudanese counterpart and a number of ministers and senior government officials.

Kenyatta held brief talks with the Sudanese leader during his visit to Khartoum.

He told reporters that they discussed bilateral relations and means of bolstering them for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Kenyatta also praised the strong ties between Sudan and Kenya, stressing the need for building solid grounds for cooperation between the two countries on issues of mutual concern.

“Sudan and Kenya are neighbours and have mutual interests that should be protected and promoted,” he said.

He said he had discussed with al-Bashir a number of regional issues, particularly security and peace, noting that Sudan and Kenya were closely cooperating on many of those issues.

President Kenyatta said he would visit Sudan shortly for further consultation and exploration of areas of bilateral cooperation. He reiterated his country’s keenness on maintaining close cooperation with Sudan on bilateral and regional issues.

(ST)