Foreign Affairs Ministry to Facilitate Return of 27 Youth from Ethiopian Prison

(JUBA/Foreign Affairs Weekly Briefing) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has announced a series of diplomatic activities and foreign policy engagements. The update was provided during the ministry’s second weekly media press briefing of 2025, which aims to keep the public informed about government priorities in foreign relations.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit travelled to Ethiopia, where he attended the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Addis Ababa. During the visit, he held bilateral talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on cooperation in trade, infrastructure, regional affairs and energy. Discussions included opportunities for South Sudan to access electricity from Ethiopia.

While in Addis Ababa, Kiir also met with the Presidents of Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia, as well as the Prime Ministers of Barbados and Eswatini. He later chaired several important meetings, including a session of the Ad Hoc National Border Committee.

In Juba, Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Monday Semaya K. Kumba met senior staff to review bilateral and multilateral commitments while advancing the ministry’s reform agenda. Deputy Minister Amb. Akuei Bona Malwal returned from Ankara after holding talks with Turkish officials on trade, investment, capacity building, development cooperation and diplomatic coordination.

The Undersecretary, Hon. Amb. Agnes Adrino Orifa Oswaha, engaged with senior diplomatic staff to ensure effective implementation of South Sudan’s foreign policy objectives. She also held a meeting with a technical delegation from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). In addition, the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Undersecretary met with ambassadors, as well as representatives of regional and international organisations accredited to South Sudan.

The ministry announced that preparations are underway for its monthly Joint High Level Coordination Meeting with the Government of South Sudan and United Nations agencies. The session is expected to focus on humanitarian and development cooperation.

As part of its consular work, the ministry facilitated the repatriation of Mexican national Jesús Muñoz-Gutiérrez on 6 September. He had been deported from the United States to Juba in July. The transfer was coordinated with the Government of Mexico, which assured that he would be treated fairly and humanely.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation and the protection of foreign nationals in South Sudan. It also confirmed that six other foreign nationals currently in custody would be repatriated in coordination with their countries of origin.

The government continues to assist South Sudanese citizens deported from abroad, including from the United States, Egypt and Libya. Officials reported that arrangements are being made to facilitate the safe return of 27 young people from Eastern Equatoria State who are currently detained in Muzzan prison in Ethiopia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation closed its briefing by reaffirming its commitment to principled diplomacy, open communication and the advancement of South Sudan’s national interests at regional, continental and global levels.

Diplomatic Engagements and Outcomes in the Past Week