“Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan, recently paid a state visit to Moscow with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The visit takes on particular significance in the current geopolitical context, marked by research new partners by Russia following the crisis in Ukraine.
Accompanied by a delegation of senior officials, Kiir expressed his desire to strengthen cooperative ties with Russia in various fields, such as security, education, health and economic development. Russia’s support is also crucial for South Sudan, which hopes to see the arms embargo lifted soon by the UN Security Council.
The visit comes just days after Kiir returned from New York, where he attended the United Nations General Assembly. It should be noted that the South Sudanese president did not have the opportunity to meet US President Joe Biden during his stay in the United States, which highlights the tensions between the two countries.
Kiir’s warm welcome in Moscow was an opportunity for him to highlight the importance of Russia as a key ally for South Sudan. He declared in front of the cameras that Russia is a “strong friend” that he “needs”.
This visit also has an economic dimension, as Russia is already investing in oil exploitation in South Sudan. Cooperation in this strategic sector is likely to further strengthen bilateral ties.
In conclusion, President Kiir’s visit to Russia marks a turning point in relations between South Sudan and Russia, with the aim of strengthening cooperation in various fields. This visit also has an important geopolitical stake for Russia, which seeks to expand its influence in the face of international tensions. It remains to be seen how this new dynamic will develop and what benefits it will bring to both countries.”