The Russian Federation is set to inaugurate the mission between September and October 2025, marking a pivotal step in Moscow’s growing engagement with Africa’s youngest nation.
This move signals Russia’s formal diplomatic entry into South Sudan and reflects its broader ambition to strengthen political, economic, and security ties across the continent. It also aligns with Moscow’s strategic posture of deepening partnerships in the Horn of Africa amid shifting global alliances.
South Sudan’s Ambassador to Russia, Chol Tong Mayay, announced the embassy plan during a farewell meeting with a delegation from the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology & Postal Services.
The delegation had just returned from participating in the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF’25), which concluded the previous week.
Ambassador Mayay urged Juba to strengthen economic ties with Moscow, calling Russia a reliable and strategic partner.
He noted that scholarships for South Sudanese students have increased from five to 25 this year, part of broader efforts to build human capital and deepen cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, defense, and education.
South Sudan welcomes move
South Sudan’s government has welcomed the move, describing it as a strategic step that could unlock new avenues for cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and defense.
The planned embassy will serve as a permanent diplomatic mission, replacing Moscow’s current arrangement of managing relations through its embassy in neighboring Ethiopia.
Russia’s engagement with South Sudan has grown steadily, in line with its broader push to expand influence in the Horn of Africa.
During a meeting in Moscow last year, President Vladimir Putin described relations with Juba as developing “intensively,” noting that Russia was among the first to recognize South Sudan’s independence.
Ambassador Mayay further revealed that between May and June 2025, Russia and South Sudan signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding focusing on mineral extraction and petroleum exploration.
Analysts say the establishment of a physical diplomatic presence will not only enhance bilateral coordination but could also open the door to high-level visits, investment agreements, and military training initiatives, as Russia looks to diversify its partners in Sub-Saharan Africa amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with the West.
