Parliament approves South Sudan-Saudi Arabia cooperation accord
Author: Michael Daniel | Published: 14 hours ago
National parliament sitting. September 20, 2024 (Photo: Eye Radio)
South Sudan’s parliament has approved the General Cooperation Agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, opening direct avenues for institutional and economic collaboration between both nations.
South Sudan’s parliament has ratified the General Cooperation Agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, opening direct avenues for institutional and economic collaboration between both nations.
The Transitional National Legislative Assembly approved the accord on August 19, 2026, following earlier parliamentary debates in May over sovereignty concerns that had temporarily delayed the vote.
Appearing before lawmakers, Foreign Affairs Minister James Morgan Pitia defended the framework, explaining that it creates an umbrella baseline for line ministries to establish direct development and investment partnerships with Saudi counterparts. Key areas targeted for cooperation include agriculture, education, mining, and infrastructure development.
The bilateral agreement was originally signed in Riyadh on January 24, 2022, by former Foreign Affairs Minister Mayiik Ayii Deng and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Speaking during the ministry’s weekly media briefing, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen welcomed the legislative approval
“There was also an important development in our relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On 19th August, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly ratified the general cooperation agreement between the Republic of South Sudan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” stated Ambassador Pitia.
“The Foreign Minister appeared before the assembly during its consideration of the agreement. As the minister explained to the assembly, this is a general framework for cooperation between the two countries; specific areas of implementation will be taken forward by the relevant ministries according to their respective mandates.”
“We welcome the ratification. Saudi Arabia is an important partner and the agreement gives both countries a basis for developing cooperation in areas of shared interest.”
Under the ratified framework, individual government line ministries will independently execute tailored agreements according to their technical mandates.