Russia is set to open its first embassy in South Sudan between September and October, following agreements on oil and mineral extraction that signal deepening diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
The announcement was made by South Sudan's Ambassador to
Russia, Chol Tong Mayay, on Tuesday as he bid farewell to an ICT delegation
attending the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
According to the South Sudan Ministry of Information, Communication,
Technology and Postal Services, Ambassador Tong, who studied engineering in
Russia, emphasized the growing strategic relationship between the two
countries.
He urged the government of South Sudan to deepen its
engagement with Moscow, weighing Russia as a reliable partner. He also
encouraged Russian companies to invest in South Sudan's untapped economic
potential, particularly in energy and natural resources.
"Russia is a country South Sudan can count on," Chol
said, while praising Moscow's increased interest in the country's development.
As part of the expanding cooperation, Russia has increased
its annual scholarship offers to South Sudanese students from five to
twenty-five, reflecting growing educational and cultural ties.
Between May and June this year, South Sudan and Russia
signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding focused on oil
exploration and mineral extraction. These deals, Chol said pave the way for
deeper collaboration in South Sudan’s resource-rich sectors.
The Ambassador revealed that a delegation from NilePet,
South Sudan’s national oil company, is currently in Moscow and is expected to
finalize a deal with Russian oil giant Rosneft in the near future.
The opening of the Russian embassy in Juba signals a new
chapter in bilateral relations, underpinned by energy cooperation and mutual
strategic interests.
