As part of the active diplomatic efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance its regional and international presence, His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, received on Monday His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Juba, during his official visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
His Excellency Engineer Waleed Al-Khuraiji began the meeting by conveying the greetings and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect them – to His Excellency President Salva Kiir, and their wishes for the Republic of South Sudan, government and people, for more progress and prosperity, which reflects the depth of relations and mutual appreciation between the two leaderships.
Strengthening bilateral relations and joint projects
The meeting included a comprehensive review of bilateral relations between the Kingdom and South Sudan, with both sides discussing ways to develop these relations across various political and economic fields to serve their mutual interests. The talks also addressed the latest developments on the regional and international scenes, as well as efforts to enhance security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Nile Basin – issues of common interest to both sides.
Strategic context: Saudi Arabia and the African continent
This visit comes within the broader strategic framework adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of its Vision 2030, which aims to engage with the African continent and strengthen strategic partnerships with its nations. This approach was clearly demonstrated during the recent Saudi-African Summit hosted by Riyadh, which established a new phase of cooperation based on mutual interests, support for development projects, and investment in human and natural resources.
The Kingdom views South Sudan as a pivotal state in East and Central Africa, and Riyadh consistently seeks to support peace and stability efforts in Juba, believing that political stability is the key to economic development. Saudi diplomacy plays a balanced role in the region, making it a reliable partner in addressing regional challenges.
The importance and timing of the visit
The Deputy Foreign Minister's visit to Juba is of particular importance given the tensions in the surrounding region, especially the situation in neighboring Sudan. These discussions underscore the Kingdom's commitment to ongoing consultations with Sudan's neighbors to prevent the conflict from escalating and to coordinate international efforts aimed at achieving peace. The visit also opens new avenues for cooperation in the energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors, as South Sudan possesses promising natural resources that could offer significant opportunities for joint investment.
The reception was attended on the Saudi side by the Director General of the General Department of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Saqr Al-Qurashi, reflecting the great institutional interest that the Ministry gives to the African file.
