Tel Aviv Meeting Explores Investment in South Sudan

(TEL AVIV) – South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Monday Semaya Kumba, has concluded a wide ranging official visit to Israel, marked by a series of high level diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Juba and Tel Aviv.

The visit, which took place from 29 to 31 July 2025, involved several strategic meetings with top Israeli officials and institutions across multiple sectors, including trade, energy, infrastructure, health and education.

Ambassador Kumba’s programme began in Jerusalem, where he met with the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Saar, and Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharen Haskel. The meeting underscored both nations’ commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation.

Minister Saar reaffirmed Israel’s intention to support South Sudan across development areas, including governance, technology and humanitarian support. Both sides expressed optimism that the partnership would yield tangible results in the near future.

Later, Ambassador Kumba visited the Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem, where he paid his respects at the memorial dedicated to children who perished during the Holocaust. The visit was described by the South Sudanese delegation as a deeply moving moment and a reaffirmation of South Sudan’s solidarity with the people of Israel.

On the same day, the minister met with Israel’s Minister for Energy and Infrastructure, Eli Cohen, in Jerusalem. The two discussed ways to enhance cooperation in water management, agriculture, energy and infrastructure development. Kumba stressed South Sudan’s openness to learning from Israel’s advanced capabilities, particularly in areas such as solar energy and irrigation systems. Cohen stated that Israel was ready to partner with South Sudan to deliver real, impactful projects.

The delegation also paid tribute at two sensitive sites i.e. Kibbutz Nir Oz and the site of the Nova music festival attack, both of which were affected during the October 2023 Hamas assault.

In the health sector, Kumba visited the Save a Child’s Heart International Pediatric Cardiac Centre at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon. The facility has been instrumental in offering free life saving heart surgeries to children from developing countries, including Africa.

The visit showcased Israel’s expanding medical diplomacy and South Sudan’s interest in developing similar cardiac care capabilities at home. Israeli doctors and medical trainers expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation with Juba in the areas of paediatric care and medical education.

Trade and economic development were also key components of the visit. In Tel Aviv, the minister met with Dr. Ayala Wittner, President of the Israel-Africa Chamber of Commerce. The discussions centred on increasing Israeli investment in South Sudan in sectors such as agriculture, construction and technology. Kumba invited Israeli businesses to explore opportunities in South Sudan, while Dr. Wittner reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to promoting mutually beneficial trade ties.

In a separate engagement, Ambassador Kumba held a working meeting with Mrs. Shiri Fein, the Chief Executive Officer of the Israel-Africa Relations Institute. Their talks focused on enhancing cooperation in capacity building, research exchange, public communications, and youth engagement. Mrs. Fein praised South Sudan’s commitment to fostering long-term partnerships with knowledge sharing institutions.

Kumba emphasised that South Sudan views Israel as a key partner in its development journey. He reiterated Juba’s willingness to learn from Israel’s innovation in agriculture, clean energy and digital governance. The Israeli side welcomed the message and expressed eagerness to turn discussions into action.

The multi-day visit represents one of the most comprehensive diplomatic missions undertaken by South Sudan in Israel since independence in 2011.