By Kei Emmanuel Duku and Lodu William Odiya
The Republic of South Sudan officially launched its embassy in Tokyo, marking a significant milestone in its diplomatic relations with Japan. The opening came more than 10 years after South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011.
The ceremony was led by South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Monday Semaya K. Kumba. Japanese officials, including Ambassador Tadayuki Miyashita, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Ambassador Horiuchi Toshihiko, Assistant Minister and Director General of the African Affairs Department, were also present.
Other dignitaries included Ambassador Alryiha Hydoub of the Republic of the Sudan and representatives from the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania.
At his address, Minister Kumba thanked the government and people of Japan for their hospitality. He commended Ambassador Victoria Samuel Aru and her team for their dedication in maintaining the embassy relationship despite various challenges and urged the team to continue their efforts to enhance South Sudan’s reputation in Japan.
The minister highlighted the strategic importance of the relationship between the two nations, describing it as a strong partnership encompassing political, economic, trade, and investment cooperation.
Minister Kumba also recalled his productive meetings during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) with Japanese leaders, including the Mayor of Yokohama and representatives from the Nippon Foundation, Toyota Tsusho, and JICA. He stated that the discussions by then focused on shaping the future of cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Victoria Samuel Aru, who serves as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Sudan to Japan and Head of Mission, expressed her joy and thanked the guests for attending. She reflected on the long history of cooperation and highlighted Japan’s continuous support to South Sudan. Ambassador Aru reaffirmed her commitment to working with the Japanese government to strengthen the friendship and partnership between Juba and Tokyo.
Ambassador Horiuchi Toshihiko, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, praised Ambassador Aru’s hard work and dedication and expressed his appreciation for Minister Kumba’s participation in TICAD9. He emphasized the strength of the bilateral relationship and assured continued support and collaboration with the new embassy.
The official opening of the embassy in Tokyo symbolizes a shared vision for a stronger partnership and serves as a beacon of friendship and diplomacy between South Sudan and Japan.
The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, making it the world’s newest country. Japan has been a key partner, providing significant support to South Sudan in various sectors since its independence. The establishment of the embassy in Tokyo is a culmination of years of diplomatic engagement and is expected to further deepen the ties between the two nations, promoting cooperation in development, trade, and cultural exchange.