Toronto – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit was in Addis for a working visit this week. He and his delegation were officially received at the Jubilee Palace (Emperor Haile Selassie’s Palace).
According to information from the South Sudan Office of President, Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed initiated the visit. On Friday, he wrote on his X page “President Salva Kiir and I held a bilateral discussion this evening on the issues shaping our region and shared future. We prioritized economic cooperation, exploring ways to boost investment and expand opportunities through stronger partnerships and also exchanged updates on our countries’ progress.” His office provided no further details as to what was discussed and the exchanges of views between the two leaders.
The South Sudan President’s office said “The visit produced concrete diplomatic outcomes.”
The office also disclosed that the discussion covered topics including “political developments, economic cooperation, and regional security” – among others. The discussion on economic cooperation was within the framework of deepening integration. Collaboration in infrastructure, trade, oil industry, and transportation were discussed. In June 2024, South Sudan parliament ratified a $738 million HighWay road project to Ethiopia.
What was discussed under political and security cooperation is not made public by both countries. Notably, they signed a military cooperation agreement in 2021.
Another notable development from the recent working visit of the South Sudan president is that that country has received land in Addis Ababa for the construction of its embassy.
Also, the two countries have agreed to “to fast-track the implementation of existing agreements and deepen cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.”
