Foreign relations of South Sudan
Encyclopedia
The foreign relations of South Sudan are the relations between the Republic of South Sudan
and sovereign state
s and international organisations. The establishment of the relationships followed the formation of the South Sudanese state on 9 July 2011. Sudan
became the first state in the world to recognise South Sudan.
, other Africa
n states and the Arab states
. Since independence, South Sudan has sought to shed its reliance on North Sudan, reportedly planning to introduce the Swahili language
and orient itself toward East Africa
.
.
Countries that explicitly recognise South Sudan are shown below in order of their date of recognition.
United Nations member states
Non-members of the UN
upgraded its Juba consulate to an embassy on 9 July 2011., as did France
. Also Sudan has announced that it plans to open an embassy in Juba, upon independence, while Egypt
has announced it intends to convert its existing consulate in Juba into a full embassy. The United Kingdom
has opened an embassy in South Sudan, as well.
On 16th September 2011, the ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Norway presented their credentials, the first to do so.. Credentials were presented on 15th November of that year by Chinese, German and Kenyan ambassadors.
According to India
n officials, New Delhi
will upgrade its consulate in Juba to an embassy and appoint an ambassador
to South Sudan.
on 14 July 2011. It joined the African Union
on 27 July 2011.
South Sudan has also either applied or is in the process of applying to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
, the Commonwealth of Nations
, the East African Community
, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development
, the International Monetary Fund
, and the World Bank
. South Sudan has also been assured membership in the Arab League
, should it decide to pursue membership, though it could also opt for observer status. it may also seek membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which has expressed interest in giving South Sudan admission despite not being a majority Muslim state.
On 24 July 2011, President Salva Kiir told the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly
that he hoped the EAC will consider expediting South Sudan's accession to the supranational organisation. South Sudan is considered very likely to join the EAC, but an exact timetable for admission has not yet been mooted publicly.
, Prime Minister of Egypt after the Arab Spring
-inspired revolution in 2011 made his first foreign visit to Khartoum
and Juba
in the lead-up to South Sudan's secession.
Economic ties show the most potential. As of 23 July 2011, several Israeli companies are already in talks for various business deals. Israel is host to thousands of refugees from South Sudan, who are now ready to return to their native country.
first announced, in January 2011, that dual citizenship in the North and the South would be allowed, but upon the independence of South Sudan he retracted the offer. He has also suggested an EU-style confederation.
's presence in South Sudan was a stumbling block.
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
and sovereign state
Sovereign state
A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...
s and international organisations. The establishment of the relationships followed the formation of the South Sudanese state on 9 July 2011. Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
became the first state in the world to recognise South Sudan.
Foreign policy
In the immediate aftermath of the country's independence, South Sudan's foreign policy prerogative was seen as a challenge in the quest to balance relations between the WestWest
West is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.West is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of east and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the left side of a map is west....
, other Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n states and the Arab states
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
. Since independence, South Sudan has sought to shed its reliance on North Sudan, reportedly planning to introduce the Swahili language
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
and orient itself toward East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
.
Chronology of relations
Many states have recognised South Sudan upon independence, or announced planning to do so. Sudan was the first to do so on 8 July 2011, 1 day prior to independence. Four other states followed suit on 8 July. Over 25 countries had recognised the country on 9 July, including all permanent members of the United Nations Security CouncilUnited Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
.
Countries that explicitly recognise South Sudan are shown below in order of their date of recognition.
United Nations member states
| Country | Date of recognition Diplomatic recognition Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act with domestic and international legal consequences, whereby a state acknowledges an act or status of another state or government in control of a state... | Relations established | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| effective 9 July 2011 |
South Sudan – Sudan relations African Union African Union The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity... (AU) member  Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member |
||
| effective 9 July 2011 |
AU member Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
||
| effective 9 July 2011 |
9 July 2011 |  United Nations United Nations Security CouncilUnited Nations Security Council The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of... (UNSC) president at the time of declaration of independence |
|
| effective 9 July 2011 |
AU member Commonwealth of Nations member(EAC) member |
||
| Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| AU member | |||
| 15 July 2011 | AU member Commonwealth of Nations member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
||
| 9 July 2011 | United Nations UNSC permanent member |
||
| 9 July 2011 | Commonwealth of Nations member United Nations UNSC permanent member |
||
| Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| 9 July 2011 | United Nations UNSC permanent member |
||
| Established | Commonwealth of Nations member |
||
| 24 September 2011 | Commonwealth of Nations member |
||
| 9 July 2011 | |||
| 9 July 2011 | United Nations UNSC permanent member |
||
| South Sudan – Uganda relations AU member Commonwealth of Nations membermember Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| 22 August 2011 | United Nations UNSC permanent member Organization of the Islamic Conference observer |
||
| United Nations UNSC non-permanent member Arab League observer |
|||
| 22 September 2011 | AU member Commonwealth of Nations member United Nations UNSC non-permanent member |
||
| AU member Commonwealth of Nations member member |
|||
| AU member | |||
| AU member | |||
| AU member Organization of the Islamic Conference observer |
|||
| AU member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| AU member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| AU member Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
 Libya |
AU member Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
||
| AU member Commonwealth of Nations member member |
|||
| Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| India – South Sudan relations Commonwealth of Nations member United Nations UNSC non-permanent member Arab League observer |
|||
| 22 July 2011 | |||
| 9 July 2011 | |||
| Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Commonwealth of Nations member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| United Nations UNSC non-permanent member |
|||
| AU member Commonwealth of Nations member |
|||
| United Nations UNSC non-permanent member AU member Commonwealth of Nations member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Commonwealth of Nations member |
|||
| AU Member Commonwealth of Nations member |
|||
| AU Member | |||
| South Sudan – Israel relations | |||
| AU member Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| AU member | |||
| Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| AU member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| AU member Arab League observer |
|||
| Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| 13 October 2011 | |||
| AU member Commonwealth of Nations member |
|||
| AU member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| 23 September 2011 | |||
| AU member | |||
| AU member | |||
| AU member Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| AU member Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| AU member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Commonwealth of Nations member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Commonwealth of Nations member |
|||
| Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| United Nations UNSC non-permanent member AU member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| November 2011 | |||
| Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| United Nations UNSC non-permanent member |
|||
| Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Commonwealth of Nations member |
|||
| United Nations UNSC non-permanent member Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Commonwealth of Nations member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member |
|||
| Commonwealth of Nations member Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Organization of the Islamic Conference member |
|||
| Organization of the Islamic Conference observer |
|||
Non-members of the UN
| Country | Date of recognition Diplomatic recognition Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act with domestic and international legal consequences, whereby a state acknowledges an act or status of another state or government in control of a state... | Relations established | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Vatican City Holy SeeHoly See The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and... (Vatican City Vatican City Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of... ) |
effective 9 July 2011 |
||
| (Taiwan Taiwan Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following... ) |
|||
| African Union African Union The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity... (AU) member |
|||
 Somaliland |
|||
 Transnistria |
|||
 Palestinian National Authority |
Arab League member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member |
Representation in South Sudan
The United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
upgraded its Juba consulate to an embassy on 9 July 2011., as did France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Also Sudan has announced that it plans to open an embassy in Juba, upon independence, while Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
has announced it intends to convert its existing consulate in Juba into a full embassy. The United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
has opened an embassy in South Sudan, as well.
On 16th September 2011, the ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Norway presented their credentials, the first to do so.. Credentials were presented on 15th November of that year by Chinese, German and Kenyan ambassadors.
According to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n officials, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
will upgrade its consulate in Juba to an embassy and appoint an ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to South Sudan.
International organisations
South Sudan became a member of the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
on 14 July 2011. It joined the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
on 27 July 2011.
South Sudan has also either applied or is in the process of applying to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, is a free trade area with nineteen member states stretching from Libya to Zimbabwe. COMESA formed in December 1994, replacing a Preferential Trade Area which had existed since 1981...
, the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, the East African Community
East African Community
The East African Community is an intergovernmental organisation comprising the five east African countries Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Pierre Nkurunziza, the President of the Republic of Burundi, is the current Chairman of the East African Community. The EAC was originally...
, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development
Intergovernmental Authority on Development
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development is an eight-country regional development organization in East Africa. Its headquarters are located in Djibouti City....
, the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
, and the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
. South Sudan has also been assured membership in the Arab League
Arab League
The Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
, should it decide to pursue membership, though it could also opt for observer status. it may also seek membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which has expressed interest in giving South Sudan admission despite not being a majority Muslim state.
On 24 July 2011, President Salva Kiir told the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly
East African Legislative Assembly
The East African Legislative Assembly is a sub organ of the larger East African Community, being the Legislative arm of the Community. Members are sworn in to five-year terms.-History:...
that he hoped the EAC will consider expediting South Sudan's accession to the supranational organisation. South Sudan is considered very likely to join the EAC, but an exact timetable for admission has not yet been mooted publicly.
| International organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| African Union African Union The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity... (AU) |
The African Union welcomed South Sudan as its 54th member state. |
| Arab League |
The Arab League wishes South Sudan to become a member state. However, South Sudan does not have a majority Arab population and in South Sudan there is strong opposition to joining. |
| (EAC) | South Sudan's membership in the EAC is favoured by all members. |
 International Olympic Committee (IOC) |
A South Sudan committee has yet to apply and might not be able to finish the process in view of the many requirements. South Sudan athletes may be able to compete in the 2012 Olympic games "under other colours". |
| United Nations (UN) |
On July 14th, South Sudan became 193rd UN Member State. |
Egypt
Essam SharafEssam Sharaf
Essam Abdel-Aziz Sharaf is an Egyptian academic who has been Prime Minister of Egypt since 3 March 2011. He served as Minister of Transportation from 2004 to 2005.-Early life and education:...
, Prime Minister of Egypt after the Arab Spring
Arab Spring
The Arab Spring , otherwise known as the Arab Awakening, is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010...
-inspired revolution in 2011 made his first foreign visit to Khartoum
Khartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
and Juba
Juba
- Locations :* Juba, the capital of South Sudan* Juba, Estonia, a village in Võru Parish, Võru County, Estonia- People :* Juba I of Numidia * Juba II of Numidia * Juba of Mauretania...
in the lead-up to South Sudan's secession.
Israel
Relations between the two states commenced with Israel's recognition of South Sudan a day after its independence and South Sudan announcing the following week its intention to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. On 28 July 2011, it was announced that full diplomatic ties had been established between the two countries. This is considered a significant boon to Israel, as Sudan does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and does not recognise Israeli sovereignty.Economic ties show the most potential. As of 23 July 2011, several Israeli companies are already in talks for various business deals. Israel is host to thousands of refugees from South Sudan, who are now ready to return to their native country.
Sudan
Since independence relations with Sudan have been under negotiation. Sudan's President Omar al-BashirOmar al-Bashir
Lieutenant General Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir is the current President of Sudan and the head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister...
first announced, in January 2011, that dual citizenship in the North and the South would be allowed, but upon the independence of South Sudan he retracted the offer. He has also suggested an EU-style confederation.
Uganda
Prior to independence relations between the two states were fostered through cultural contacts such as the presence of South Sudanese students in Uganda. As independence approaches the two states started to enhance their economic ties. However, the Lord's Resistance ArmyLord's Resistance Army
The Lord's Resistance Army insurgency is an ongoing guerrilla campaign waged since 1987 by the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group, operating mainly in northern Uganda, but also in South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo...
's presence in South Sudan was a stumbling block.