South Sudan’s justice minister on Wednesday presented a bilateral cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to parliament for debate and ratification.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Michael Makuei Lueth tabled the agreement, titled General Cooperation between the Republic of South Sudan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, before the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
The agreement was signed on Jan. 24, 2022, in Riyadh by South Sudan’s then foreign minister, Mayiik Ayii Deng, and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. It aims to strengthen diplomatic, economic and social ties between the two countries.
Makuei told lawmakers the agreement seeks to expand cooperation in several sectors, including science, technology, culture, media, tourism, youth and sports.
“It is intended to strengthen friendship between the two countries and their peoples and to promote bilateral cooperation,” Makuei said.
The nine-article agreement also calls for promoting and diversifying trade in line with international trade rules and encourages investment by citizens of both countries, subject to their respective national laws, he said.
Under the agreement, the two countries would facilitate investment activities, exchange trade delegations and participate in trade exhibitions.
It also provides for cooperation in education, scientific research, youth and sports, as well as radio and television programming through information and content exchanges.
Makuei said the agreement will be valid for five years and can be renewed by mutual consent.
After the presentation, parliament Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba referred the agreement to the committees on foreign affairs and on legislation and justice for further review.