Egypt sent Tuesday a military plane loaded with medical supplies and medicines to South Sudan to help the African state in its battle against the COVID-19 disease, the Egyptian armed forces announced.
Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi ordered authorities to prepare a military aircraft laden with large quantities of medical supplies to be sent to South Sudan to help it counter the coronavirus, in light of its successive crises.
According to the army’s statement, posted by spokesman Tamer al-Rifai on his Facebook page, the medical aid was sent to show solidarity with South Sudan.
“This aid is an affirmation of Egypt’s leading role in Africa and a strengthening of cooperative relations and historical ties connecting Egypt with the continent,” read the statement.
Noting that the African country has been encountering several crises, the statement added that the aid included medicine, medical supplies, sanitizers, suits for medical staff, and milk formula for children.
On Monday, South Sudan announced that Vice President Riek Machar and his wife Angelina Teny have tested positive for the coronavirus.
It said that “a number of his office staff and bodyguards” have also tested positive for COVID-19.
Machar said on state television that he would be in self-isolation for 14 days at his residence. So far, South Sudan has recorded 347 cases of the coronavirus and six deaths.
