President Salva Kiir has flown to South Africa for an official visit. Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek Ateny told Radio Miraya in an interview that Kiir flew to Pretoria, South Africa’s capital to have a discussion with President Cyril Ramaphosa on the implementation of the peace agreement.

‘‘He is being accompanied by high-level delegation because this is a symbolic visit given that this is the first time for the president to travel to South Africa.

He is expected to discuss with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa matters to do with Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). How far the peace deal has reached and the challenges,’’ he said.

Ateny said South Africa holds immense clout in the IGAD, which drives the implementation of the peace deal, and therefore it is prudent to bank on the African nation to help South Sudan seduce the international community to support the course.

He added that the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) was preparing to graduate the national forces and therefore a helping hand from Pretoria would be highly welcome.

The newly appointed minister of presidential affairs Barnaba Marial Benjamin has joined the president in the three-day visit.