Arop Jonchol
South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Mayiik Ayii Deng, held a high-level meeting with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, at the Holy See headquarters in Vatican City.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between South Sudan and the Vatican, as well as discussing recent developments in the ongoing peace process in South Sudan. During the meeting, the Minister conveyed a message of condolence from President Salva Kiir Mayardit to the Holy See, praising Pope Francis for his continued efforts and strong stance in support of peace in the country.
The discussions also covered final arrangements for the accreditation of South Sudan’s non-resident ambassador to the Holy See, who will be based in Paris, in addition to exploring mechanisms for enhancing diplomatic cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The two sides reflected on the pivotal role played by the Holy See during Pope Francis’ historic visit to Juba, and reaffirmed the importance of continued support for South Sudan through strengthening its international and regional presence.
Ambassador Mayiik reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Archbishop Gallagher, in turn, expressed the Vatican’s readiness to further strengthen areas of cooperation, emphasizing that supporting peace efforts and providing humanitarian aid remain top priorities for the Holy See, especially amid the ongoing challenges posed by conflict and climate-induced displacement.
