Turkey, South Sudan agreed to strengthen relations

South Sudan’s defense minister yesterday said that Turkey has agreed to strengthen and support the unification of forces after years of conflict in the African state, Anadolu Agency reports.

Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar met with his South Sudan counterpart last week in a defence fair in Istanbul. According to reports, Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Angelina Teny, said her Turkish counterpart had agreed to support South Sudan in the training of forces whose main aim will be the unification of the country.

“We have discussed the possibility of support for South Sudan, which is in the process of implementing chapter 2 of the peace agreement – the unification of forces – and support for the transformation of our army.”

“We discussed the UN arms embargo imposed on South Sudan since the conflict began in December 2013,” she added.

She highlighted that “we have had a very fruitful discussion that would ensure a good future for South Sudan, a future that would help us transit to proper democracy.”

In South Sudan, projects by Turkish aid and development agencies are underway, with the Turkish Red Crescent engaged in providing water by helping set up hand pumps and raising awareness of sanitation among the people.

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