President Salva Kiir departs Juba for Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, on Friday morning during his Bahr el Ghazal tour – photo credit: Office of the President

President Salva Kiir’s trip to the Bahr el Ghazal region focuses on security and economic recovery, with grassroots engagement aimed at achieving lasting peace, according to his office.

The announcement comes after President Kiir departed Juba for Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Friday, where he is expected to address a public rally before continuing to Kuajok in Warrap State, according to his office.

While in Wau, the President is expected to briefly address residents at Wau Stadium.

He will then travel to Kuajok, the capital of Warrap State, for another public rally before proceeding to his hometown of Akon in Gogrial West County.

According to a statement issued by his office, the President will tour several key towns, including Wau, Kuajok, Akon, and Aweil, where he is expected to address public gatherings aimed at reinforcing messages of peace and social cohesion.

The Office of the President said President Kiir’s visit will focus on security and economic recovery, with grassroots engagement seen as key to achieving lasting peace.

The President’s visit to the region comes after the arrival of First Lady Mary Ayen Mayardit in Aweil in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State yesterday, where she was received by Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol and state Governor Charles Madut Akol.

The First Lady later proceeded to Warrap State and then to Akon in Gogrial West County ahead of the President’s visit to his hometown.

Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol and other senior government officials are expected to join the President on his tour of the region.

According to a public invitation issued yesterday by Warrap State Governor Bol Wek Agoth, President Kiir will proceed to Kuajok, where his reception will start from Tharkueng, Yiith-Liet, Angui, to the State Secretariat General.

The President will then briefly stop at the State Council of Ministers headquarters for a briefing before proceeding to Freedom Square for a public rally.

The statement said members of the public are expected to line up from Tharkueng along the road up to the Council of Ministers headquarters.

President Kiir is then expected to proceed to his hometown of Akon in Gogrial West County.