Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Republic of South Sudan

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Meets with the Sudanese Ambassador to South Sudan

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Juba, 25 January 2025 (MFA&IC) – The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Amb. Monday Semaya K. Kumba, held a meeting yesterday with H.E. Ambassador Issam Mohammed Karrar, the Sudanese Ambassador to South Sudan. The meeting aimed to foster mutual understanding and address shared concerns, reinforcing the commitment of the two Foreign Ministries in South Sudan and Sudan to constructive dialogue in navigating challenges and enhancing bilateral relations.

During the discussions, several critical matters were addressed, including the voluntary return process for both South Sudanese and Sudanese citizens, recent developments concerning the investigation into the Wad Madani incidents, and the provision of consular services to South Sudanese nationals in Sudan.

Acting Minister Kumba announced the endorsement of the voluntary return process for Sudanese nationals, as per the request of the Sudanese Government, and outlined a strategic framework and conditions for its implementation in line with South Sudan’s domestic laws and international norms and practices governing voluntary return. Further, as proposed and agreed, the implementation of the Sudanese voluntary return from Juba to Port Sudan will start immediately in collaboration with the Sudanese Embassy in Juba.  From the South Sudanese side, these efforts will involve close collaboration and coordination between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Interior, National Security, and Humanitarian Affairs, as well as Commissions for Refugees and Relief and Rehabilitation, and other related institutions.

Honorable Amb. Kumba also announced the initiative of the voluntary return process for South Sudanese residing in Sudan, which will be effectively coordinated by the South Sudanese Embassy in Port Sudan, in close coordination with the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other competent authorities, and he urged the Sudanese Government to facilitate this process and protect the South Sudanese nationals in Sudan.

The Acting Minister also expressed concerns about the progress of the investigation into the tragic Wad Madani incidents of brutal killings of South Sudanese nationals, and especially the status of the outcomes and the final results as promised by the Sudanese government.  The Acting Minister resubmitted the request for permission for the South Sudanese Embassy in Port Sudan to visit the South Sudanese in Sudan, including in Wad Madani, to provide essential consular services.

The Acting Minister expressed concern and dissatisfaction with the last statement issued by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated 23 January 2025 and promised that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Juba will respond to the statement and the unjustified allegations in a responsible and timely manner.

In response, H.E. Ambassador Issam expressed appreciation for the meeting and the longstanding cordial relations between the two sisterly countries and reiterated full commitment to fostering closer ties enhancing bilateral cooperation, and addressing the recent challenges amicably. He thanked the Government of the Republic of South Sudan for protecting and ensuring the safety and security of Sudanese nationals in South Sudan following the Wad Madani incidents. H.E. the Ambassador welcomed the approval of the voluntary return process and confirmed his readiness to work alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other institutions in Juba to facilitate the implementation process.

As for the investigation committee, the Sudanese Ambassador took note of the concerns raised and promised to respond promptly and share updates upon the completion of a preliminary report in good faith in a transparent manner.H.E. Ambassador Issam also expressed the readiness of the Sudanese Government’s readiness to facilitate consular visits, as requested by the South Sudanese side.

Both parties reaffirmed their dedication and commitment to maintaining open lines of communication for the purposes of effective cooperation and collaboration in different areas, namely, implementation of the voluntary return processes, timely reporting of the outcomes of the investigation into the Wad Madani incidents, addressing issues of mutual concern for the best interest of both countries.

End of Statement

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