Author: James Atem Kuir | Published: 11 hours ago

Foreign Minister James Pitia Morgan shakes hands with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister during his departure at Juba International Airport. | Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, James Pitia Morgan, alongside other senior officials, has travelled to Tel Aviv, Israel for bilateral engagements.

According to a short statement issued by the ministry, Minister Morgan and his delegation departed Juba on Friday morning for the visit.

The ministry said the Minister is expected to hold talks with senior Israeli government officials on matters of mutual interest between South Sudan and the State of Israel.

The diplomatic visit comes days after President Salva Kiir honoured Israeli military veteran David Uri Ben-Uziel with an honorary military rank in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).

President Kiir conferred the rank in recognition of his role in supporting the Anyanya movement during the 1960s and 1970s.

South Sudan and Israel established formal diplomatic relations on 28 July 2011 following independence.

In August last year, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation in Juba following a visit by Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, the first senior Israeli official to visit South Sudan.

The agreement was signed by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Monday Semaya Kumba, on behalf of South Sudan and Sharren Haskel on behalf of Israel.

The MoU establishes a framework for “diplomatic consultations” and “joint initiatives” between the two countries.

The agreement followed an earlier 10-point MoU on bilateral cooperation signed in July 2023, covering health, culture, sport, agriculture and education.

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