Biden Will Not Meet Kiir in New York, Says State Department

Biden Will Not Meet Kiir in New York, Says State Department

U.S. President’s Meeting with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan Denied

As per the State Department’s recent statement, it is confirmed that the U.S. President will not be meeting President Salva Kiir of South Sudan in New York. This revelation follows the official communication dated 14th September 2023 received from the U.S State Department.

This announcement was an answer to the request for a meeting made by South Sudan. The request was put forward by the former Foreign Affairs Minister of South Sudan, Deng Dau. Salva Kiir had hoped to arrange a meeting with the U.S. President during the United Nations General Assembly session. The State Department, in its reaction, clarified that the President would be unavailable to fulfill this request.

Official Announcement

The request and its subsequent denial were communicated through a letter written by the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jonathan Pratt. The letter was addressed to the recently appointed South Sudanese Foreign Affairs Minister, Morgan Pitia.

A segment of the response reads, “Regarding the former foreign minister’s request for a high-level meeting during President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s visit to Washington, I regret to inform you that President Biden will be unavailable.” The State Department didn’t entirely close the door for dialogue, however.

An Alternative Meeting

Even though the U.S. President will not be accessible for the proposed meeting, the State Department suggested a replacement. Molly Phee, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, would be available to meet the South Sudanese leader. The proposed meeting is expected to provide a platform for open and honest discussions on matters of mutual interest and concern.

The State Department added, “Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee will be available to receive President Kiir and engage in the frank, candid discussion of all issues of mutual interest and concern that you describe.”