Hon. Amb. Monday Semaya K. Kumba

Hon. Amb. Monday Semaya Kenneth Kumba is a seasoned diplomat, legal expert, and public servant with over two decades of experience in international relations and diplomacy. Born in Juba, South Sudan on July 28, 1975, he has devoted his career to representing South Sudan’s interests abroad and shaping the country’s foreign policy with professionalism and dedication. He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on April 10, 2025, following his tenure as Deputy Minister from April 25, 2024 to April 10, 2025.

A lawyer by profession, Hon. Amb. Monday began his career as a high school teacher, advocate, and legal consultant. In 2001, he joined the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served in various departments including International Law, Consular Affairs, and Protocol. He later served at the Sudanese Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, where his diplomatic portfolio covered political affairs, consular services, and relations with regional organizations.

After South Sudan’s independence, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, playing a key role in administrative leadership and diplomatic mission establishment. He was instrumental in the founding of South Sudan’s Embassy in Beijing in 2012, where he served in progressively senior roles—ultimately as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.

From October 1, 2021, to April 2024, he served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Sudan to the People’s Republic of China, and concurrently as non-resident Ambassador to Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

His educational background includes an LL.B. (Honours) from the University of Khartoum, postgraduate studies in sustainable development and legal drafting at Columbia University (New York) and the University of Johannesburg, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from Tsinghua University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, specializing in World Economy and Global Politics.

In addition to his formal studies, Hon. Amb. Monday completed advanced diplomatic and political training at institutions such as Peking University, the Clingendael Institute (Netherlands), and the EU Headquarters in Brussels, along with programs in Egypt, Japan, France, South Korea, and Sudan.

A prolific writer, he has authored numerous papers on diplomacy, protocol, international law, China-Africa relations, sustainable development, and global governance. He is fluent in English and Arabic, with working proficiency in Chinese.

Hon. Amb. Monday is married to Mrs. Isabella Maniya Joseph Pitia and is the proud father of five children.