Juba, South Sudan – South Sudan’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Deng Dau Deng, and his South African counterpart, Hon. Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, discussed areas of collaboration and potential opportunities between the two countries on Monday in Juba.
The Ministers of Petroleum, Mining, Investment, Livestock, and Fisheries also attended the meeting. The meeting touched on issues related to visa waivers, notably for diplomatic and official passports, as well as potential investment opportunities in Mining, Trade, Agriculture, oil, livestock, and fisheries.
Hon. Deng expressed gratitude to the visiting Minister and acknowledged the presence of South African companies in the mining and oil sectors, encouraging South African enterprises to explore investment opportunities in the country.
“This morning, we had a deep discussion on areas of bilateral relations, ranging from petroleum and gas to mining. We also discussed the status of investment and trade, and we had reflections on the issue of livestock and fisheries and the opportunities that exist in South Sudan that can be used for the benefit of South Sudan and the business people from South Africa,” Hon. Deng said.
The Acting Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening its relationships at the regional, international, and bilateral levels.
For her part, Hon. Pandor said hosting a joint ministerial meeting of South African and South Sudan Ministers is one of her agenda items, in addition to the Action Plan, which would boost bilateral relations.
She went on to say that her government’s “Africa We Want” Agenda 2030 inspires Africans to achieve peace, security, and economic development. Minister Pandor urged the government to support the Agenda.
She also emphasized that they had also discussed and exchanged views on the continent of Africa and regional issues with the Honourable Deng Dau Deng.
“We have deliberated extensively on several important issues related to our bilateral relations and developments regarding the South Sudanese peace process. I am very pleased to note that H.E. the Deputy President (South Africa) will be engaging with the parties to the Revitalised Agreement during his working visit,” she revealed.
