President Kiir shakes hand with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim after a meeting in Juba. March 19, 2025. (Photo: Office of the President).

President Salva Kiir and a visiting Saudi Arabia delegation led by the Gulf Kingdom’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties on Wednesday, the president’s office said.

The Saudi diplomat Abdulkarim told the media that he exchanged views with the President on areas of enhancing relations between Juba and Riyadh.

South Sudan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Monday Semaya Kumba, also said the discussions touched on Sudan’s peace process, with a focus on regional stability.

“President Kiir appreciated the visiting delegation, pointing out the fruitful interactions and collaboration that have characterized the two nations’ bilateral relations,” reads part of the statement from the president’s office.

On the same day, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) His Highness Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan also visited Juba and held a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Semaya K. Kumba.

The meeting reflected on efforts to enhance diplomatic and humanitarian collaboration between South Sudan and the UAE, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Hon. Semaya welcomed and appreciated the visit on behalf of the Government, emphasizing that South Sudan and UAE enjoy a cordial relationship and looking forward to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries,” it said.

It added that Sheikh Al Nahyan highlighted his role in leading a high-level humanitarian delegation in South Sudan and underscored the Abu Dhabi’s focus on supporting humanitarian efforts.