President Salva Kiir - June 22, 2022. Photo credit: PPU

President Salva Kiir on Sunday traveled to the United States to participate in the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, his office has said.

It is Kiir’s first U.S. visit in nine years since his September 2014 address to world leaders at the UN Assembly.

Presidential Affairs Minister Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin told reporters that the president will brief the UN on the status of the implementation of the peace agreement and the preparations for the upcoming 2024 elections.

“While in the United States, Kiir will highlight the crisis in Sudan and stress his role on how he will resolve the current crisis in the Sudan,” the Office of the President said in a statement posted on Facebook.

The President will also discuss regional issues related to the East African Community and the role South Sudan is playing in the region to promote peace and stability, his office said further.

Kiir was seen off at Juba International Airport by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and other senior government officials.

The president recently made similar regional and international trips to Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, and Uganda.

The UN Assembly agenda is “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity.

It will also talk about accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals toward peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.