President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called for stronger economic cooperation between Russia and African countries, highlighting investment opportunities...
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called for stronger economic cooperation between Russia and African countries, highlighting investment opportunities in South Sudan as the country seeks to deepen bilateral relations with Moscow.Addressing the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Oct. 29, Kiir commended Russian President Vladimir Putin for hosting the gathering and reaffirmed South Sudan’s commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation.The two-day summit, held on Oct. 28-29, brought together delegations from 48 African countries, including about 20 heads of state and government. It was co-chaired by Putin and Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, the current chairperson of the African Union.In his address, Kiir called for a stronger strategic partnership between Russia and Africa, emphasizing the need for a fairer international order based on equality, mutual respect and shared economic interests.He encouraged increased investment and economic cooperation, identifying agriculture, petroleum, mining and tourism as key sectors offering opportunities for international investors in South Sudan.Kiir said the country was ready to welcome Russian and other international investors to develop its natural resources responsibly for mutual economic benefits.He also expressed support for implementing the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2027-2029, which aims to expand cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, humanitarian affairs, and political and security matters.The president's remarks came as South Sudanese officials held separate meetings with their Russian counterparts to advance cooperation in the petroleum and justice sectors.On Oct. 29, South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum, Awow Daniel Chuang, met with Russia’s Minister of Energy, Sergey Tsivilev, at the Russian Ministry of Energy.The meeting brought together officials from South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum, Nile Petroleum Corporation (NilePet) and Russian state-owned oil company Zarubezhneft to discuss opportunities for expanding cooperation in the oil industry.The Ministry of Petroleum described the proposed transaction as a significant development that could open opportunities for deeper economic, technical and investment cooperation between the two countries.In a separate engagement, South Sudan’s Caretaker Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol, met with Russia’s Minister of Justice, Konstantin Chuychenko, to explore ways of strengthening legal and institutional cooperation.Chuychenko described relations between the two countries as friendly and based on mutual respect, noting that Russia was among the first countries to recognize South Sudan’s independence.He said the Russian Ministry of Justice was ready to support stronger bilateral relations through the development of international legal frameworks, including possible agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal and civil matters.The Russian minister also proposed joint seminars, expert consultations and exchanges of legal expertise and best practices between the two countries.He invited Kuol to attend the 15th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, scheduled for May 20-22, 2027. The forum is expected to bring together justice ministers from more than 20 countries, alongside other legal experts.South Sudan’s participation in the Russia-Africa Summit reflects the government's efforts to broaden international partnerships and attract investment in key sectors of the economy while strengthening diplomatic and institutional relations.The engagements in Moscow place particular emphasis on energy development, investment, legal cooperation and technology transfer as South Sudan seeks to translate its international partnerships into opportunities for national development.Photo Credit: Presidential Press Unit.
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