South African President in Juba for Bilateral Talks, Peace Progress 

By Deng Machol

JUBA, South Sudan -- South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Juba for a three-day historic visit that will strengthen the bilateral relations on development and governance. 

President Ramaphosa was received by his counterpart President Salva Kiir at the Juba International Airport. 

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ramadan Goc said that the two leaders will discuss ways to strengthen and enhance bilateral relations between Juba and Pretoria.

Goc described Ramaphosa's visit as important amid the South Sudan preparedness for the upcoming general elections in December.

South Africa has participated in various conflict resolution and mediation mechanisms, State building, capacity building of State institutions, and programs for post-conflict reconstruction and development. 

As one of the peace guarantors to South Sudan, President Ramaphosa will hold meetings with various stakeholders and Signatories to the 2018 peace deal and discuss the progress on the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement. 

President Ramaphosa will also hold close meetings with President Kiir and his rival deputy Riek Machar on Thursday as the country prepares for the forthcoming general elections this year.

South Africa is also the Chair of the African Union High-Level Ad-hoc Committee for South Sudan (also known as C5), which has been mandated by the African Union to support South Sudan in its transitional process.