Juba, 19 December 2023 [MFA&IC]- The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Amb. Dr. James Pitia Morgan, on Tuesday received a courtesy visit from Ambassador Tsutsumi Naohiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of South Sudan, on the occasion of the Ambassador’s completion of his tenure in South Sudan.
During the meeting, Ambassador Naohiro expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Hon. Minister Morgan for the remarkable bilateral relations fostered between South Sudan and Japan during his three and a half years in South Sudan.
He acknowledged the excellent cooperation and collaboration between the two nations, particularly highlighting the achievements facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in developmental projects and their joint efforts in addressing global issues.
Hon. Minister Morgan, in turn, conveyed his gratitude to Ambassador Naohiro for his instrumental role in fostering strong relations between Japan and South Sudan.
He commended the developmental projects initiated under the auspices of JICA, including women empowerment initiatives, the grant Agreement for the improvement of solid waste management in Juba in September 2023, and the project for the management of the water supply system, among other ongoing initiatives in South Sudan.
Furthermore, Minister Morgan assured Ambassador Naohiro that the safety and protection of Japanese nationals, as well as other foreign nationals, remains a top priority for the Government of South Sudan.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Government, led by H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, to maintain peace and stability in the country, emphasizing that South Sudan will never revert to violence.
In response, Ambassador Tsutsumi Naohiro expressed his gratitude to the Government and the people of South Sudan for their warm hospitality and support during his tenure.
He called for the continued protection of Japanese nationals residing in South Sudan and urged South Sudan’s support for Japan on global issues.
Ambassador Naohiro also emphasized the importance of implementing the roadmap for peace in South Sudan.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both officials expressing satisfaction with the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation between South Sudan and Japan. They expressed their commitment to further strengthen and deepen the ties between the two countries in the future.
