Foreign relations of South Sudan

The Republic of South Sudan established relations with sovereign states and international organizations following independence on 9 July 2011. South Sudan's former ruling country of Sudan was the first state in the world to recognize South Sudan.

Foreign policy

In the immediate aftermath of the country's independence, South Sudan's foreign policy prerogative was seen as a challenge in the quest to balance relations between the West, other African states and the Arab states. Since independence, South Sudan has sought to shed its reliance on Sudan, reportedly planning to introduce the Swahili language and orient itself toward East Africa.

Diplomatic relations

Sudan was the first country to recognise the independence of South Sudan on 8 July 2011, 1 day prior to independence. Four other states followed suit on 8 July. Over 25 countries had recognised the country on 9 July, including all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

On 14 July 2011, South Sudan was admitted as a member of the United Nations without a vote or objections raised by its members.

List of countries which South Sudan maintains diplomatic relations with:

# Country Date
1  Sudan 9 July 2011
2  Egypt 9 July 2011
3  Germany 9 July 2011
4  Kenya 9 July 2011
5  Botswana 9 July 2011
6  Brazil 9 July 2011
7  China 9 July 2011
8  France 9 July 2011
9  Japan 9 July 2011
10  Norway 9 July 2011
 Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic 9 July 2011
11  South Korea 9 July 2011
12  Sweden 9 July 2011
13  United Kingdom 9 July 2011
14  United States 9 July 2011
15  Cuba 10 July 2011
16  Eritrea 11 July 2011
17  Namibia 12 July 2011
18  Mozambique 15 July 2011
19  Cambodia 22 July 2011
20  Israel 28 July 2011
21  Russia 22 August 2011
22  Netherlands 9 September 2011
23  Austria 21 September 2011
24  Spain 21 September 2011
25  South Africa 22 September 2011
26  Hungary 23 September 2011
27  Slovenia 23 September 2011
28  Australia 24 September 2011
29  Malawi 26 September 2011
30  Mexico 26 September 2011
31  Iceland 29 September 2011
32  East Timor 13 October 2011
33  Turkey 13 October 2011
34  Belgium 14 October 2011
35  North Korea 18 November 2011
36  Montenegro 21 November 2011
37  Slovakia 12 December 2011
38  Mongolia 20 December 2011
39  Canada 22 December 2011
40  Luxembourg 22 December 2011
41  Serbia 3 January 2012
42  Djibouti 11 February 2012
43  Bangladesh 16 February 2012
44  Ethiopia 27 February 2012
45  India 13 March 2012
46  Denmark 4 May 2012
47  Ireland 4 May 2012
48  Zimbabwe 4 May 2012
49  Somalia 18 May 2012
50  Italy 23 May 2012
51   Switzerland 23 May 2012
52  Pakistan 4 June 2012
53  Georgia 15 June 2012
54  Finland 22 July 2012
55  Turkmenistan 17 August 2012
56  Uganda 3 September 2012
57  Ukraine 25 September 2012
58  Bahrain 28 September 2012
59  Fiji 5 October 2012
60  Nigeria 17 October 2012
61  Azerbaijan 23 October 2012
62  Central African Republic 21 November 2012
63  Burundi 28 November 2012
64  Czech Republic December 2012
65  Benin 30 January 2013
66  Poland 31 January 2013
67  Kuwait 12 February 2013
 Holy See 22 February 2013
68  Democratic Republic of the Congo 4 March 2013
69  Philippines 13 March 2013
70  Romania 17 April 2013
71  Portugal 23 April 2013
72  Oman 11 June 2013
73  Seychelles 24 July 2013
74  Belarus 4 September 2013
75  Sri Lanka 25 September 2013
76  Rwanda 21 October 2013
77  Saudi Arabia 3 December 2013
78  Thailand 12 December 2013
79  Lebanon 23 May 2014
80  Ghana 15 September 2014
 Sovereign Military Order of Malta 12 November 2014
 State of Palestine 24 January 2015
81  Jordan 1 March 2015
82  Ecuador 8 May 2015
83  Tunisia 26 June 2015
84  Algeria 9 September 2015
85  Equatorial Guinea 8 October 2015
86  Tanzania 11 April 2016
87  Angola 10 June 2016
88  United Arab Emirates 23 June 2016
89  Morocco 2 February 2017
90  Mauritania 3 July 2017
91  Estonia 18 September 2017
92  Venezuela 22 September 2017
93  Comoros 17 May 2018
94  Vietnam 21 February 2019
95  Nicaragua 22 July 2019
96  Qatar 10 September 2020
97  Latvia 23 September 2021
98  Cyprus 24 September 2021
99  Bosnia and Herzegovina 27 October 2021
100  Croatia 16 November 2021
101    Nepal 28 March 2022
102  Senegal 19 July 2022
103  Indonesia 20 September 2022
104  Dominican Republic 11 April 2023
105  Maldives 4 May 2023
106  Niger 19 July 2023
107  Greece 20 March 2024
108  Libya 20 March 2024
109  Malaysia 20 March 2024
110  Cameroon Unknown
111  Gabon Unknown
112  Guinea Unknown
113  Ivory Coast Unknown
114  Zambia Unknown

Representation in South Sudan

The United States upgraded its Juba consulate to an embassy on 9 July 2011, as did France. Also Sudan has announced that it plans to open an embassy in Juba, upon independence, while Egypt has announced it intends to convert its existing consulate in Juba into a full embassy. The United Kingdom has opened an embassy in South Sudan, as well.

On 16 September 2011, the ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Norway presented their credentials, the first to do so. Credentials were presented on 15 November of that year by Chinese, German and Kenyan ambassadors.

International organisations

South Sudan became a member of the United Nations on 13 July 2011. It joined the African Union on 27 July 2011. It's also a member in: the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

South Sudan has also either applied or is in the process of applying to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the Commonwealth of Nations, the East African Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. South Sudan has also been assured membership in the Arab League, should it decide to pursue membership, though it could also opt for observer status. it may also seek membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which has expressed interest in giving South Sudan admission despite not being a majority Muslim state.

On 24 July 2011, President Salva Kiir told the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly that he hoped the EAC will consider expediting South Sudan's accession to the supranational organisation. South Sudan is considered very likely to join the EAC, but an exact timetable for admission has not yet been mooted publicly.

South Sudan is observer state of Non-Aligned Movement.

International organisation Status
 East African Community (EAC) South Sudan's membership in the EAC is favoured by all members.
 International Olympic Committee (IOC) South Sudan does not as yet have a National Olympic Committee. A South Sudanese marathon runner competed as an Independent Olympian at the 2012 London Olympics.[original research?] On 7 November 2015, South Sudan became 206th IOC Member State.
 United Nations (UN) On 14 July, South Sudan became 193rd UN Member State.
FIFA (FIFA) On 25 May 2012, South Sudan became the 209th member of FIFA.

Americas

 No formal diplomatic relations
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Argentina N/A
  • Argentina recognized South Sudan on 2 August 2011.
 Canada 22 December 2011
  • Canada recognized South Sudan on 7 July 2011.
  • Canada has an embassy in Juba.
 Chile N/A
  • Chile recognized South Sudan on 7 July 2011.
 Brazil 9 July 2011
  • Brazil recognized and established diplomatic relations with South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
 Colombia N/A
  • Colombia recognized South Sudan 16 July 2011.
 Cuba 10 July 2011
  • Cuba recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
 Dominican Republic 11 April 2023
 Ecuador 8 May 2015
 Guyana N/A
  • Guyana recognized South Sudan on 14 July 2011.
 Jamaica N/A
  • Jamaica recognized South Sudan on 6 October 2011.
 Mexico 26 September 2011
  • Mexico recognized South Sudan on 14 July 2011.
  • Mexico is represented in South Sudan through its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
 Nicaragua 22 July 2019
 Panama N/A
  • Panama recognized South Sudan on 18 August 2011.
 Peru N/A
  • Peru recognized South Sudan on 14 July 2011.
 Suriname N/A
  • Suriname recognized South Sudan on 20 July 2011.
 United States 9 July 2011
  • United States recognized and established diplomatic relations with South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
  • United States has an embassy in Juba.
 Uruguay N/A
  • Uruguay recognized South Sudan on 13 July 2011.
 Venezuela 22 September 2017
  • Venezuela recognized South Sudan on 26 December 2011.

Asia

 No formal diplomatic relations
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Armenia N/A
  • Armenia recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
 Azerbaijan 23 October 2012
 Bahrain 28 September 2012
  • Bahrain recognized South Sudan on 10 July 2011.
 Bangladesh 16 February 2012
  • Bangladesh recognized South Sudan on 20 July 2011.
 Cambodia 22 July 2011
  • Cambodia recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
 China 9 July 2011
  • China recognized and established diplomatic relations with South Sudan on 9 July 2011
 Georgia 15 June 2012
 India March 2012
  • India recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011 and the consulate was upgraded to an embassy in March 2012
 Indonesia 20 September 2022
  • Indonesia recognized South Sudan on 12 July 2011
 Israel 28 July 2011
  • Israel recognized South Sudan on 10 July 2011.
 Iran N/A
  • Iran recognized South Sudan on 16 July 2011.
 Japan 9 July 2011
  • Japan recognized and established diplomatic relations with South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
 Jordan Before 1 March 2015
  • Jordan recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
 Kazakhstan N/A
  • Kazakhstan recognized South Sudan on 15 July 2011.
 Kuwait 12 February 2013
 Kyrgyzstan N/A
  • Kyrgyzstan recognized South Sudan on 14 July 2011.
 Laos N/A
  • Laos recognized South Sudan on 26 December 2011.
 Lebanon 23 May 2014
  • Lebanon recognized South Sudan on 18 July 2011.
 Malaysia 20 March 2024
 Maldives 4 May 2023
  • Maldives recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
 Mongolia 20 December 2011
   Nepal 28 March 2022
 North Korea 18 November 2011
  • North Korea recognized South Sudan on 15 July 2011.
 Oman 11 June 2013
 Pakistan 4 June 2012
  • Pakistan recognized South Sudan on 22 July 2011.
 Philippines 13 March 2013
  • The Philippines recognized South Sudan on 1 August 2011.
 Qatar 10 September 2020
  • Qatar recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011
 Saudi Arabia Before 3 December 2013
  • Saudi Arabia recognized South Sudan on 11 July 2011
 Singapore N/A
  • Singapore recognized South Sudan on 14 July 2011.
 South Korea 9 July 2011
  • South Korea recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011
 Sri Lanka 25 September 2013
 Thailand 12 December 2013
  • Thailand recognized South Sudan on 6 September 2011.
 Turkey 2011
  • Turkey recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
 Turkmenistan 17 August 2012
 United Arab Emirates Before April 2019
  • The United Arab Emirates recognized South Sudan on 11 July 2011.
 Vietnam 21 February 2019
  • Vietnam recognized South Sudan on 10 July 2011.
 Yemen N/A
  • Yemen recognized South Sudan on 9 October 2011.

Oceania

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Australia 24 September 2011
  • Australia recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
  • Australia is represented in South Sudan through its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
 Fiji 25 September 2012
  • Fiji is represented in South Sudan through its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
 Timor-Leste 13 October 2011
 Vanuatu N/A
  • Vanuatu recognized South Sudan on 28 September 2011.

Other continents

Bangladesh

Bangladesh recognizes the independence of South Sudan on 20 July 2011.

China

China recognizes the independence of South Sudan on 9 July 2011.

Comoros

First ambassador of South Sudan to Comoros presented his credentials to Comoros in 2018.

Denmark

First ambassador of South Sudan to Denmark presented his credentials to Denmark in 2016.

Egypt

Essam Sharaf, Prime Minister of Egypt after the Arab Spring-inspired revolution in 2011 made his first foreign visit to Khartoum and Juba in the lead-up to South Sudan's secession. Egypt was one of four countries to recognise South Sudan as an independent state on the first day.

India

India recognized South Sudan on 9 July 2011

Israel

Relations between the two states commenced with Israel's recognition of South Sudan a day after its independence and South Sudan announcing the following week its intention to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. On 28 July 2011, it was announced that full diplomatic ties had been established between the two countries. This was considered a significant boon to Israel, as Sudan did not have diplomatic relations with Israel and did not recognize Israeli sovereignty. This changed under the Israel–Sudan normalization agreement.

Economic ties show the most potential. As of 23 July 2011, several Israeli companies are already in talks for various business deals. Israel is host to thousands of refugees from South Sudan, who are now ready to return to their native country.

South Korea

The Republic of Korea government is providing for the South Korean military to South Sudan in UN Mission (UNMISS) in South Sudan.

Sudan

Since independence relations with Sudan have been under negotiation. Sudan's then President Omar al-Bashir first announced, in January 2011, that dual citizenship in the North and the South would be allowed, but upon the independence of South Sudan he retracted the offer. He has also suggested an EU-style confederation. In February 2012, an agreement was reached by which citizens of both countries could live, work, and own property in both countries, and freely travel between the two.

Turkey

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2012

  • South Sudan has an embassy in Ankara.
  • Turkey has an embassy in Juba.
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$3.2 million in 2019.

Uganda

Prior to independence relations between the two states were fostered through cultural contacts such as the presence of South Sudanese students in Uganda. As independence approaches the two states started to enhance their economic ties. However, the Lord's Resistance Army's presence in South Sudan was a stumbling block.

South Sudan and the Commonwealth of Nations

See also; South Sudan and the Commonwealth of Nations

South Sudan has applied for full membership of the Commonwealth. If and when it is accepted, South Sudan will become the newest republic in the Commonwealth of Nations.[1] Archived 11 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-03-27 19:03 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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