A meeting took place Monday in Pretoria between officials from the governments of South Sudan and South Africa, according to statements issued separately by both sides.
In a statement issued Monday evening by South Sudan’s Presidential Press Unit, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Africano Mande Gedima, met with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, to discuss ongoing bilateral cooperation and regional issues.
According to the South Sudanese statement, discussions focused on follow-ups to the C5+ meeting held earlier this year in Addis Ababa on the margins of the African Union Summit. At that summit, heads of state agreed on the non-extension of the transitional period in South Sudan, the conduct of elections, and the principle of non-interference in the country’s internal affairs.
The meeting was also attended by South Sudan’s Chargé d’Affaires in South Africa, Ambassador Simon Deng Akook, who continues to play a key role in facilitating diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
The Presidential Press Unit said talks explored areas in which South Africa can support South Sudan, including election preparation, institutional engagement and dialogue facilitation.
The South African side reaffirmed its commitment to working as a trusted partner in promoting peace, democratic governance and long-term stability in South Sudan, according to the South Sudanese statement.
Separately, the South African Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed in a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter) that the meeting had taken place and disussed matters pertaining to peace and elections in South Sudan.
Minister Africano is part of a delegation accompanying President Salva Kiir on his official visit to South Africa. The delegation arrived in Johannesburg on Saturday and includes the president’s press secretary.
While Kiir’s office stated that the visit aims to hold diplomatic talks with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, there has been no publicly released schedule confirming a meeting between the two leaders this week.
Speculation has also circulated that the 74-year-old South Sudanese leader may be undergoing medical checks during the visit, but no official statement has been issued on this matter.