By Sabri Dibaco
South Sudan’s Minister of Energy and Dams, Agok Makur Kur, has underscored the need to strengthen consular services and improve communication with the South Sudanese diaspora as part of broader efforts to reinforce bilateral relations with the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The minister made these remarks during the East Africa Power Pool meeting held in Cairo.
In a press statement from his office, Minister Makur Kur emphasised that effective consular engagement is essential for addressing the needs and concerns of citizens living abroad while fostering trust and unity between the government and its people overseas.
He highlighted that enhancing communication channels between embassies and South Sudanese nationals will yield several key benefits, ensuring critical updates reach the community efficiently, making the government more responsive to community issues and building a coordinated network of citizens who can actively participate in national development.
The minister pointed to the longstanding ties between South Sudan and Egypt, particularly in the strategic sectors of energy, electricity, education, and water resources. He called for increased collaboration in power generation, transmission, and distribution, noting that Egypt’s extensive experience in energy infrastructure presents valuable opportunities for knowledge transfer.
“The partnership between South Sudan and Egypt is crucial, especially in advancing our energy sector. We are looking at expanding cooperation in electricity generation and ensuring sustainable energy solutions that can meet the growing demands of our population,” Minister Agok stated.
Minister Makur Kur stressed that investing in human resources is a cornerstone of achieving long-term development goals. To this end, discussions are currently ongoing to facilitate specialised training programs for South Sudanese engineers and technical personnel in Egyptian institutions.
According to the minister, such initiatives will enhance technical expertise, strengthen institutional capacity within the country’s energy sector, and enable the sector to operate more efficiently and sustainably.
Sideline discussions at the event also explored various opportunities for joint projects and technical exchanges, with both sides expressing a deep commitment to cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The renewed focus on collaboration reflects a shared vision to promote economic growth, regional integration, and stability. Minister Makur Kur reaffirmed South Sudan’s commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with Egypt, describing the partnership as vital for improving the livelihoods of citizens.