By Fahri Aksut and Emir Yildirim
ISTANBUL (AA) - Sustainable peace and security in Africa can be reached via economic stability, while the problems the region is facing can be resolved through development, South Sudan’s trade and industry minister told Anadolu.
Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk, speaking on the sidelines of the Türkiye–Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF), stated that the priority is to bring the African economy to the targeted level. “If everyone’s busy with a job, … people will focus on work rather than minor conflicts,” she said.
Juuk noted that Africa could reach the goal, especially via commercial support and technology transfer, as well as cooperation, such as with Türkiye.
She emphasized that South Sudan boasts rich agriculture, livestock and natural resources, but those valuables should be processed with know-how, experience and technology to generate value, and they will be wasted otherwise with a lack of development.
Juuk said the Nile River provides many fish, while South Sudan boasts large amounts of crude oil and other natural resources. “Türkiye should work with us and share its know-how and experience, and for our part, we should focus on development, not minor crises,” she said.
She emphasized that much of Africa and South Sudan have achieved stability, as she invited Turkish investors to her country. “We want them to see the opportunities they are not aware of, and also we want our people to visit Türkiye to receive education, gain experience and see the opportunities on both sides,” she said.
Juuk said South Sudan mainly imports from Türkiye and efforts are underway to create more exports of its own to the country. “If we utilize our resources, our bilateral relations will become much stronger,” she noted.
She added that more than 260 South Sudanese students, who are Turkish school graduates, are among the future leaders and young people who will build South Sudan.