Russia to Open Embassy in Juba as Ties with South Sudan Deepen

(Saint Petersburg) – Russia is preparing to open an official embassy in Juba between September and October 2025, marking a significant step in diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Sudan.

The announcement was made by South Sudan’s Ambassador to Russia, Chol Tong Mayay, during a farewell meeting with South Sudan’s Ministry of ICT and Postal Services delegation.

The delegation had been attending the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an annual global business event.

Ambassador Chol described the upcoming embassy as a symbol of growing cooperation and trust between the two countries.

He called on South Sudan’s leadership to strengthen business relations with Russia, noting that Moscow has shown increasing interest in South Sudan’s economic potential.

“Russia is a country South Sudan can count on,” he said. “We should begin genuine business engagement with Russia and welcome Russian companies that are ready to invest in South Sudan.”

In a sign of expanding educational ties, Ambassador Chol revealed that Russia has raised its scholarship offer to South Sudanese students from five to 25 for the current year. He said this increase demonstrates Russia’s commitment to investing in South Sudan’s future workforce.

He also shared that South Sudan and Russia have signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between May and June this year.

These agreements aim to advance cooperation in the extraction of minerals and petroleum exploration within South Sudan.

The ambassador added that a delegation from Nile Petroleum Corporation (NilePet), South Sudan’s national oil company, is currently in Moscow.

He indicated that the group is in advanced talks with Russian oil giant Rosneft and may finalize a deal soon.

The embassy opening would represent Russia’s first permanent diplomatic mission in South Sudan since the country gained independence in 2011.

Russia has maintained formal diplomatic relations with South Sudan but has until now operated through regional channels based in neighboring countries.