Parliament reviews South Sudan–Saudi Arabia cooperation pact
A parliamentary sitting in session on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. | Credit | Malual Peter Atem/TRC.

The Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, has committed the General Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of South Sudan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to relevant parliamentary committees for review.

“I hereby commit this General Cooperation Agreement to the Committees of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Legislation and Justice, and direct them to report back to this House within fourteen days,” Nunu stated during Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting.

This follows a presentation by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth.

The Agreement was signed on 24 January 2022 in Riyadh by former Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Mayiik Ayii Deng for South Sudan and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It seeks to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries and enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education, science and technology, culture, media, tourism, youth, and sports.

The nine-article Agreement provides for cooperation in key economic sectors including petroleum, minerals, agriculture, livestock and health.

It also includes provisions on confidentiality, the conclusion of sector-specific agreements, formation of a joint implementation committee, and amicable settlement of disputes.

The Agreement will enter into force after ratification and remain valid for five years, with automatic annual renewal unless terminated by either party.