Russia to Open Embassy in Juba: A New Chapter in South Sudan–Russia Relations

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‎In a significant diplomatic move, the Russian Federation is preparing to open its embassy in South Sudan between September and October 2025, marking a major milestone in the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations.

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‎The news was confirmed by South Sudan’s Ambassador to Russia, Chol Tong Mayay, during a farewell event for a South Sudanese ICT delegation that recently attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025).

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‎A Long-Awaited Diplomatic Presence

‎The planned opening of a Russian embassy in Juba is seen as a long-overdue development in South Sudan-Russia relations. 

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‎Since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, Russia has maintained diplomatic accreditation to Juba from its embassy in Khartoum. 

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‎The establishment of a permanent diplomatic mission in the South Sudanese capital is expected to significantly boost cooperation, streamline consular services, and facilitate more direct political, economic, and cultural exchanges.

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‎Ambassador Chol Tong, who studied engineering in Russia during his earlier years, described the country as a “dependable partner” and urged South Sudanese authorities to deepen cooperation with Moscow. 

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‎"Russia has consistently supported us on international platforms and continues to show genuine interest in South Sudan’s development,” he said.

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‎Russia Eyes Investment in Energy and Mining

‎The ambassador also used the occasion to call on Russian companies to explore investment opportunities in South Sudan, particularly in the energy and mining sectors. 

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‎With vast untapped resources, South Sudan remains one of the most underexplored but potentially lucrative destinations for foreign investors in Africa.

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‎“South Sudan is open for business, and Russian firms have the experience and capacity to make a real impact,” Ambassador Chol noted. He added that several South Sudanese institutions are actively engaging with Russian partners to attract foreign direct investment and technology transfer.

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‎New Education Opportunities for South Sudanese Youth

‎In a positive development for South Sudanese students, Ambassador Chol announced that Russia has increased its scholarship program, raising the number of annual academic slots for South Sudanese from five to 25. 

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‎This is expected to provide more young South Sudanese with access to world-class education in fields such as engineering, medicine, information technology, and oil and gas.

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‎“These scholarships are not just academic opportunities they are bridges of understanding between our peoples,” Chol said.

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‎Growing Economic Cooperation

‎Between May and June 2025, South Sudan and Russia signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) aimed at deepening cooperation in mineral extraction and petroleum exploration.

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‎These agreements reflect a growing alignment of interests in the natural resources sector, where Russia sees South Sudan as a promising frontier market.

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‎Most notably, a delegation from Nile Petroleum Corporation (NilePet) is currently in Moscow finalizing a deal with Rosneft, Russia’s state-owned oil giant. 

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‎If concluded, this partnership could pave the way for expanded exploration and production activities in South Sudan’s oil fields, bringing in much-needed revenue and technical expertise.

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‎A Strategic Alliance Amid Shifting Global Politics

‎This deepening relationship between Juba and Moscow comes at a time of shifting global alliances. With the world becoming increasingly multipolar, South Sudan appears to be diversifying its international partnerships beyond its traditional allies. 

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‎Russia’s willingness to engage with South Sudan on equal footing and invest in long-term cooperation seems to resonate with policymakers in Juba.

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‎Observers say the presence of a Russian embassy will likely accelerate not only diplomatic engagement but also infrastructure development, trade, and education exchanges.

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‎Conclusion

‎The opening of a Russian embassy in Juba symbolizes more than just diplomatic formality it marks a new chapter in South Sudan's foreign policy, one that could bring tangible benefits in education, investment, and energy development.

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‎As Ambassador Chol put it, "This is a step forward toward a more connected, capable, and confident South Sudan."

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