Deputy Saudi Foreign Minister Visits South Sudan

As part of its accelerating diplomatic engagement across Africa, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khuraiji paid an official visit to the capital of the Republic of South Sudan, Juba. During the visit, Al-Khuraiji held talks with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in addition to meetings with senior government officials.

The visit came within the framework of a regional tour that began in Addis Ababa, where Al-Khuraiji met with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. Discussions focused on strengthening relations between the Kingdom and the African Union, as well as reviewing issues of mutual concern, foremost among them developments in Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

Reordering the Regional Landscape

Observers widely agree that Al-Khuraiji's visit to Juba reflects growing Saudi interest in recalibrating the regional equation and activating mediation and dialogue mechanisms to address crises threatening regional stability-most notably the war in Sudan.

Juba was therefore a pivotal stop in the Saudi diplomatic itinerary, given South Sudan's intricate geographic, economic, and security ties with Sudan. Any pathway toward resolving the Sudanese crisis inevitably requires close coordination with South Sudan's political leadership. Notably, Al-Khuraiji arrived in Juba directly from Addis Ababa following what were described as productive consultations with African Union officials-an indication, according to analysts, that Riyadh is operating along two parallel tracks: an institutional African channel through the AU, and bilateral engagement with states exerting direct influence over Sudan's trajectory.

This dual approach underscores Saudi recognition that the war in Sudan is no longer a purely internal affair. It has evolved into a regional crisis with strategic implications affecting Red Sea security, stability in the Horn of Africa, and the safety of energy and trade routes. In this context, Juba emerges as a significant stakeholder in any forthcoming settlement formula, given South Sudan's direct geographic interface with Sudan.

Africa and the Saudi Vision

Saudi Arabia's engagement with Africa is not a recent development. Within the framework of Vision 2030, the Kingdom has sought to expand its economic and political footprint and strengthen partnerships with African nations. This orientation was crowned by the launch of the first Saudi–African Summit in 2023, aimed at elevating relations to the level of strategic partnership across investment, energy, food security, and sustainable development.

Regarding Sudan, the Kingdom demonstrated early concern over halting the conflict's escalation. In cooperation with its ally, the United States, it launched the Jeddah Platform, which hosted negotiation rounds between the warring parties. These efforts, however, faltered due to the Rapid Support Forces' failure to adhere to agreed commitments.

As the war persisted, high-level political initiatives emerged, most notably the move by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who called for intensified international efforts to address the Sudan crisis-reflecting Riyadh's firm conviction that Sudan's stability is inseparable from broader regional security.

Sudan at the Heart of Discussions

In Juba, Al-Khuraiji also met with South Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Semaya Kumba, in the presence of the Director General for African Affairs, Saqr Al-Qurashi. Discussions covered bilateral relations and avenues for enhancing cooperation, alongside regional issues of shared concern.

The visit culminated in Al-Khuraiji's meeting with President Salva Kiir at the Presidential Palace, during which he conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with their wishes for further progress and prosperity for South Sudan. The meeting reviewed regional and international developments, including the evolving Sudanese situation amid complex political and security dynamics requiring high-level regional coordination.

Influence Competition and the Oil Equation

Military and strategic expert Major General Dr. Muawia Ali Awadallah views Al-Khuraiji's visit as part of Saudi Arabia's accelerating engagement in African affairs, particularly concerning the Sudan file, through activating regional and international communication channels. He did not rule out that Riyadh may be racing against time to counter moves by Abu Dhabi, which he said seeks to expand its influence in South Sudan through oil-related incentives and multi-billion-dollar investments in the young state's economy-thereby gaining direct leverage over Sudan.

Dr. Muawia further noted that Saudi–South Sudan rapprochement could contribute to addressing the oil crisis, which constitutes the lifeline of South Sudan's economy-especially amid disruptions affecting production areas and supply lines following incursions by the Rapid Support Forces into the Heglig area, the vital oil hub shared by Sudan and South Sudan.

He emphasized that South Sudan's stability and the uninterrupted flow of oil are organically linked to Sudan's own stability, making any Saudi engagement in Juba part of a broader vision to recalibrate regional balances.

A Strategic Conclusion

Ultimately, Al-Khuraiji's visit to Juba confirms that Saudi Arabia is pursuing an active diplomacy that goes beyond statements to building networks of regional understanding grounded in a strategic reading of the Horn of Africa's dynamics.

According to political analysts, the Saudi approach blends the developmental dimension of Vision 2030, the political imperative of ending the war in Sudan, and the strategic priority of safeguarding Red Sea and energy security.

Amid intersecting interests and multiple actors, Juba appears to be one of the pivotal nodes in the search for a comprehensive Sudanese settlement-one capable of restoring the Sudanese state's vitality, preserving regional stability, and inaugurating a new phase defined by partnership and mutual benefit rather than conflict and war.

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