Museveni Wraps Up Visit to South Sudan, Focuses on Peace Agreement

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has concluded a two-day state visit to South Sudan, where he held discussions with President Salva Kiir on a variety of bilateral issues, including the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement. The visit, which took place from April 3 to 4, 2025, saw Museveni engage in constructive talks with South Sudanese political leaders and representatives from multiple factions in the country.

On Friday, April 4, President Kiir bid farewell to Museveni at Juba Airport after a series of meetings described by the South Sudanese Office of the President as “productive.” The talks covered key areas of collaboration between Uganda and South Sudan, with a particular focus on advancing mutual economic and political interests.

The two leaders began their discussions with a bilateral meeting, accompanied by key ministers from both governments, to explore avenues for further cooperation between the two nations. The meeting was framed around the shared goal of deepening ties, particularly in trade, security, and infrastructure development.

One significant component of the visit was Museveni’s engagement with the signatories of South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement. The meeting was intended to assess the progress made in implementing the terms of the agreement and to encourage ongoing dialogue among South Sudanese factions. Museveni, a prominent regional leader, has been a strong advocate for peace in South Sudan and has worked closely with the country’s leadership to support peacebuilding efforts.

The visit also included discussions with various political parties in South Sudan, including representatives from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO). These meetings were aimed at fostering cooperation among the different factions, which is crucial for the continued stability of the country. By engaging with opposition leaders, Museveni underscored the importance of inclusive dialogue in South Sudan’s journey toward lasting peace.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc praised the visit as “successful,” noting that it had yielded positive results. Goc highlighted that the discussions would play a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations between Uganda and South Sudan, and in accelerating the implementation of the peace agreement.

The peace agreement, signed in 2018, aimed to bring an end to South Sudan’s civil conflict, which had lasted for several years and devastated the country. Although some progress has been made, challenges remain in ensuring full implementation, particularly regarding security arrangements and political power-sharing.