By Lodu William Odiya
The South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed plan to reduce expenses of diplomatic missions abroad.
This initiative is aimed at improving efficiency, align operations with South Sudan’s core interests.
According to the Foreign Affairs official, South Sudan current has 32 embassies and a consulate hence attracting heavy spending.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen, the Director for Media and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said their focus is to reduce the financial obligation of the foreign mission.
“We were tasked as a ministry to mainly focus on reducing the financial obligations that comes from missions abroad” she said.
“We are not closing missions; we are doing it actually to reduce the monthly or yearly budget that we are spending by having mission abroad” she added.
However, she did not specify the areas to be affected and when will the cost reduction strategy start.
She stated that the ministry undertook the reform within the diplomatic service in line with the directives of President Salva Kiir Mayardit which include the strategic downsizing of diplomatic missions abroad to improve efficiency, align operations with South Sudan’s core interests.
Ayuel emphasized that her remain committed to conducting a foreign policy. that reflects South Sudan’s national interests.
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation remain committed to conducting a foreign policy that reflects South Sudan’s national interests, anchored in peace, regional solidarity, development cooperation, and mutual respect on the global stage” she explained.
She added that the Ministry will be coordinating the participation of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan in a number of multilateral events, including the 80th United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York this September.
Furthermore, African Union upcoming events, the Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region in DRC this coming October, among others, addressing border demarcation and elimination of challenges.
In parallel with its diplomatic efforts, Ayuel emphasized that the Ministry facilitated both internal and external consultations led by the National Border Committee to address the complex challenges surrounding border demarcation and delimitation.
“These consultations held with stakeholders across South Sudan and with neighbouring states are vital to resolving long-standing border concerns, promoting understanding on international boundary matters, and contributing to regional peace and cooperation, and safeguarding South Sudan’s national interests and territorial integrity” she highlighted