South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Thursday met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, the official residence in Pretoria, five days after arriving in South Africa.
In a statement issued by Kiir’s office, discussions between the two leaders focused on South Sudan’s planned 2026 elections, electoral support and ways to strengthen economic cooperation between Juba and Pretoria.
Kiir thanked the government and people of South Africa for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to his delegation. He also expressed condolences to South Africans following the death of Nicholas Haysom, recognising his role in South Sudan’s peace process and his service with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Kiir reaffirmed that South Sudan remains committed to holding general elections in December this year, the statement said.
He said the Revitalised Peace Agreement continues to guide the country’s transition and that preparations for the polls are ongoing. The government is determined to move forward with the elections, his office added.
Kiir said that while South Sudan is committed to advancing its democratic process, it requires technical and logistical support to ensure credible elections.
Kiir highlighted that support from South Africa in areas such as printing ballot papers and providing voter registration materials would be appreciated. South Africa responded positively and expressed willingness to assist as part of strengthening bilateral cooperation, the statement said.
The leaders also discussed economic ties. Kiir invited South African businesses to invest in South Sudan, citing opportunities in mining, tourism, air transport and oil. He said the country is open for business and ready to work with partners for mutual benefit, according to the statement.
In a separate post on X (formerly Twitter), the South African presidency said Ramaphosa received Kiir at Mahlamba Ndlopfu during a working visit to South Africa.
It said relations between the two countries were formalised with the signing of an agreement establishing diplomatic ties on Sept. 24, 2012, followed by a General Cooperation Agreement in 2013. The presidency added that relations are rooted in longstanding ties predating South Sudan’s independence.
The working visit provided an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on political developments in South Sudan, particularly the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The meeting followed recent engagements between the two leaders on the sidelines of the African Union summit held in Addis Ababa in February 2026, where Ramaphosa also chaired the Ad Hoc High-Level Committee on South Sudan (C5) Plus.
South Africa currently chairs the C5, a guarantor of South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement, and maintains close diplomatic relations with Juba.
Kiir travelled to South Africa on Saturday accompanied by the minister of presidential affairs, Africano Mande, his daughter Adut Kiir, who is also senior presidential envoy on special programs, presidential press secretary Arek Aldo Ajou, and other officials.
During the visit, speculation circulated that the 74-year-old leader may have been undergoing a medical check-up, but no official statement has been issued on the matter.