JUBA – South Sudan’s Foreign Minister James Pitia Morgan held talks with Sudan’s Ambassador to Juba, Essam Mohamed Karrar, on strengthening bilateral relations, Sudan’s support for South Sudan’s upcoming general elections, and efforts to repatriate South Sudanese citizens stranded along the Sudan–Egypt border.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed technical and logistical arrangements for returning South Sudanese nationals stranded at the border. Ambassador Karrar said those affected are being accommodated in safe locations inside Sudan while preparations for their return are being finalized.
The discussions also covered Sudan’s support for South Sudan’s electoral process, with the two sides reaffirming the importance of continued cooperation between the neighboring countries.
Karrar conveyed congratulations from Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohi El-Din Salim Ahmed Ibrahim to his South Sudanese counterpart on the 15th anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, expressing Sudan’s wishes for lasting peace, stability and prosperity.
South Sudan is scheduled to hold presidential and general elections on December 22, 2026, in what would be the country’s first national elections since gaining independence in 2011.
The vote has been repeatedly postponed because of armed conflict and political disputes over the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. Authorities say the elections are intended to conclude the country’s prolonged transitional period and establish its first democratically elected government.
The electoral process, however, continues to face major challenges, including a fragile security environment, delays in integrating armed groups into a unified national army, political disagreements over constitutional arrangements, funding shortages, and the continued displacement of millions of South Sudanese inside the country and across neighboring states.
