Addis Ababa, 28 December 2023 – (MFA&IC) The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Amb. Dr. James Pitia Morgan, bid a fond farewell to Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde on Thursday at her Palace in Addis Ababa, marking the conclusion of his tenure as the South Sudan Ambassador to Ethiopia.
Hon. Morgan was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on August 31, 2023.
Expressing his gratitude, he said, “I bid farewell to the Ethiopian President this evening in her Palace in Addis Ababa. This marked the end of my tour of duty to Ethiopia as the South Sudan Ambassador after my appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on August 31, 2023.”
During his tenure, Hon. Morgan played a pivotal role in strengthening the bilateral relations between South Sudan and Ethiopia, fostering closer political, economic, and cultural ties for the mutual prosperity and development of both countries.
Reflecting on his time in Ethiopia, he expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and support he received throughout his tenure.
Hon. Morgan conveyed the Christmas and New Year’s greetings and best wishes from His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan to the Ethiopian people through President Sahle-Work Zewde. They also discussed the historical and strategic relations between the two countries, dating back to the signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972.
Furthermore, they touched upon issues of mutual interest and regional challenges, particularly the Sudan crisis, which is directly affecting the neighbouring countries and has led to an influx of refugees into both South Sudan and Ethiopia.
He expressed his heartfelt appreciation for his service as an Ambassador in Ethiopia for over seven years, working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ethiopian leadership.
They also discussed the upcoming elections in the Republic of South Sudan, where Hon. Morgan requested Ethiopian support in any form and capacity.
On her side, President Sahle-Work Zewde conveyed her best wishes and expressed Ethiopia’s pride in his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs in South Sudan.
Her Excellency the President of Ethiopia further extended her greetings to His Excellency, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the people of South Sudan.
