Ambassador designate to Australia Monday Semaya presents his credentials to the Governor General in Canberra city. (-)

South Sudan’s non-resident Ambassador-designate to Australia, Monday Semaya Kumba, presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Australia in the capital Canberra on Wednesday.

Ambassador Semaya, also the South Sudan envoy to China and Malaysia, met with several high-profile Australian officials after presenting his credentials.

He held meetings with Senator Sue Lines, President of the Senate and H.E. Mr. Andrew Giles, the Minister of Immigration.

He also conducted a brief meeting with South Sudanese community leaders in Canberra and the leadership of Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for briefing purposes.

Semaya then attended a welcoming gathering organized by the South Sudanese community, where he made comprehensive remarks and answered questions regarding their concerns.

“I am pleased to announce that I together with my wife, arrive in the cities of Sydney and Canberra, whereby we were warmly received by members of our communities in these two cities together with the Australian government,” he said in a statement to Eye Radio.

“Today is a very important day in the history of our bilateral ties with Australia, whereby I successfully presented letters of my Credence to his Excellency the governor general as the first non-resident ambassador of South Sudan to Australia with residents in Beijing.”

Ambassador Monday further said he will hold several meetings with the South Sudanese communities and the Australian government.

The meetings, according to him, will focus on boosting bilateral ties between South Sudan and Australia, and visit some South Sudanese nationals in in detention.

“I will be conducting several meetings with the ministers here in Canberra and also conducting other meetings at the state levels. I will be meeting with members of our communities in the cities of Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane Perth Adelaide and Melbourne.”

“I will also visit several facilities here in Australia, whereby our citizens are detained. This visit is very important. And I and my team in Beijing will try our best to work closely with different institutions here in Australia to develop our bilateral ties and also Advance the national interests of our country into this great country.”

South Sudanese communities in Australia say Semaya’s engagements in Australia are a testament to the multifaceted approach South Sudan is taking towards bolstering its presence and relationships abroad.