South Sudanese ministers on high-level mission in Qatar test positive for Coronavirus, Kiir’s trip hangs

South Sudanese ministers on high-level mission in Qatar test positive for Coronavirus, Kiir’s trip hangs

Three South Sudanese ministers on a high-level mission to Doha, Qatar are reportedly put in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 in Qatar, adding to concerns about the possibility of President Kiir traveling to the oil-rich Gulf nation of Qatar.

The three ministers who were among the delegation of about over 40 senior government officials and about 10 support staff tested negative before leaving Juba, according to a minister familiar with the situation in Qatar. The minister, who requested anonymity because he isn’t authorized to discuss the matter in public, said the South Sudan delegation has been quarantined in hotels in Qatar and they might call off the mission.

The delegation that arrived in Qatar yesterday, headed by Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs, Tut Gatluak comprises of the ministers of foreign affairs, finance, and planning, investment, roads and bridges, higher education, agriculture, governor of the central bank, managing director of the state oil firm Nilepet and secretary-general of Islamic affairs among other senior government officials.

A source in Qatar told Hot in Juba that the incident might force the President to call off traveling to Qatar for bilateral talks.

“President Salva Kiir was expected to join the delegation in Doha but with this situation, we might have to call off the mission and return home,” delegation’s support staff who requested anonymity told Hot in Juba.

South Sudan owes the Qatar National Bank more than $500 million.

Via Hot in Juba