South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi Confirms Salary Delays Are Being Handled

(NAIROBI) – The Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan in Nairobi has strongly refuted claims published in The EastAfrican suggesting that President Salva Kiir’s recent visit to the United Arab Emirates was a plea for financial aid, and that embassy staff have taken legal action over unpaid salaries.

The Embassy has issued a formal clarification, stating that the article, published in Issue No. 1601 (July 5–11, 2025), misrepresents both the diplomatic mission and efforts to resolve salary delays.

According to the Embassy, the state visit to the UAE was a high level diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, not a bailout request, as the article’s headline implies.

The Embassy noted that distorting such important state visits undermines South Sudan’s foreign policy image and the purpose of regional diplomacy.

The Embassy confirmed that salary arrears had indeed accumulated for both Kenyan and South Sudanese local staff. However, it clarified that this matter is already being addressed.

Many of the Kenyan staff, the statement noted, have served since South Sudan’s liberation era, including during the days of the SPLA Liaison Office, and their service is acknowledged with deep appreciation.

The Head of Mission, who recently assumed office, had already begun discussions to resolve the issue prior to the article’s publication. On Thursday, 3 July, a 40 minute meeting was held between the Head of Mission and a legal representative acting on behalf of some Kenyan staff.

During the meeting, the Embassy acknowledged the salary arrears, explained the contributing challenges, and assured the legal team that steps were being taken to secure a lasting solution.

The Embassy said the lawyer appreciated the open discussion and submitted relevant documentation, including a formal letter to Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. These were shared with the Embassy for transmission to Juba. The Embassy expressed surprise that only a few hours after the meeting, the matter had been shared with the media, despite the ongoing diplomatic engagement.

In the same week, a general meeting was held between the Head of Mission and all local staff, both South Sudanese and Kenyan, to address their concerns. The Embassy stated that a phased payment plan is in place in collaboration with South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The statement also criticised the lack of journalistic balance in The EastAfrican article. It noted that the newspaper did not contact the Embassy for comment or verification prior to publication. According to the Embassy, salaries for May were paid on Friday 4 July, just a day before the article went to print, demonstrating progress and ongoing efforts.

While the Embassy acknowledged the article’s intent to raise real issues, it said the headline and tone risked presenting an unfair image of the South Sudanese government. The statement encouraged the media to report responsibly, with balance and consultation.

The Government of South Sudan, the Embassy added, remains committed to honouring all staff obligations and strengthening its diplomatic presence globally. It confirmed that discussions with the Ministry are ongoing and that staff concerns are being handled transparently.

Finally, the Embassy expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Kenya for their continued support, particularly during South Sudan’s ongoing post conflict transition. It said the strong ties between South Sudan and Kenya continue to be a foundation for cooperation and mutual respect.