Historic Diplomatic Stop in South Sudan
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel arrived in Juba on 13 August, marking the first high-level Israeli visit to South Sudan since 2016. Officials in Juba described the stopover as ‘a statement of friendship’ after years of quiet security coordination.
Clarifying the Gaza Question
Speaking to Eye Radio, Haskel dismissed media speculation that Jerusalem sought to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to South Sudan. ‘This was never on our agenda,’ she stressed, adding that no formal approach had been made to President Salva Kiir or any cabinet ministry.
New Bilateral Agreements
Instead, the visit produced a Memorandum of Understanding covering agriculture, energy, health, and security cooperation. South Sudan’s Foreign Minister James Pitia Morgan called the MOU ‘a practical roadmap’ for technology transfer, while Haskel highlighted drip-irrigation projects that could raise food output along the White Nile.
Humanitarian Aid on the Table
Israel also pledged 30 tonnes of food and medical kits for communities affected by floods and conflict. Juba’s Health Ministry confirmed that the first consignment, financed through Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, is expected before the end of the rainy season.
Regional Implications for Africa-Israel Ties
Analysts say the outreach reflects Israel’s attempt to diversify partnerships across Africa after it gained observer status at the African Union in 2021. Dr. Aluel Garang of the University of Juba believes the deal could ‘encourage other Nile Basin states to deepen sector-specific dialogue’.
For South Sudan, officials argue that closer ties with Israel signal a pragmatic foreign policy that complements existing relations with Egypt, Ethiopia, and Congo-Brazzaville, all crucial stakeholders in regional stability.