South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa recently visited South Sudan, emphasizing the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations. On Tuesday, President Ramaphosa arrived in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, for a three-day diplomatic mission aimed at engaging with his counterpart, President Salva Kiir.

This visit marks President Ramaphosa’s first trip to South Sudan since the country’s independence on July 9, 2012. The two countries have a longstanding historical relationship, which predates South Sudanese independence. In 2013, shortly after South Sudan’s declaration of independence, South Africa quickly formalized diplomatic relations through the signing of the General Economic Agreement (GEA).

During his stay, President Ramaphosa is set to receive updates from President Kiir regarding the implementation of the peace agreements. Additionally, he will meet with other parties involved in the conflict and South Sudanese stakeholders, reinforcing South Africa’s role as a guarantor of the 2018 peace agreement signed in Sudan.

The South African leader, who visited Uganda prior to Juba for discussions on regional peace and security with President Yoweri Museveni, particularly concerning Eastern DRC, expressed strong support for the South Sudanese government’s aspirations towards prosperity and sustainable development. South Africa has maintained cordial relations with South Sudan, offering continuous support even before it became a sovereign state.