Thursday, 10 September 2026 | Author: Andrew Michael | Photo Credit: Russian Embassy’s Facebook|
South Sudan has held talks with Russia on strengthening military cooperation, raising questions about Moscow’s potential role in equipping the country’s army despite a long-standing United Nations arms embargo.
Defence Minister Lieutenant General Chol Thon Balok met Russia’s ambassador to South Sudan, A.V. Kosmodemiyanskiy, and a senior Russian military officer in Uganda, where the sides discussed prospects for closer defence ties.
The meeting comes ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled for 28-29 October.
Russia’s embassy in Juba confirmed the meeting between Mr Balok and Major General S.I. Marchuk, describing the discussions as part of efforts to develop military cooperation between the two countries.
“During the talks, the parties discussed prospects for developing military cooperation in the context of shaping the agenda of the upcoming third Russia-Africa Summit,” the embassy said.
It added that the two sides had agreed to continue developing contacts between their respective government agencies.
The talks are significant because South Sudan remains under a UN arms embargo, imposed in 2018 and subsequently renewed.
The government in Juba has repeatedly called for the restrictions to be lifted, arguing that they prevent the country from properly equipping its armed forces and undermine the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
The agreement requires government and opposition forces to be integrated into a unified national army, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
But the process has been repeatedly delayed by political disagreements, insecurity and a lack of resources.
Looking for military partners
The meeting with Russian officials suggests that South Sudan is seeking to deepen defence relationships at a time when its access to military equipment remains restricted.
There is no indication from the Russian embassy that Moscow has agreed to supply weapons to South Sudan. The statement referred only to developing military cooperation and bilateral contacts.
Any transfer of arms or military equipment would also have to comply with the UN sanctions regime and its applicable exemptions.
South Sudan has previously received military-related assistance from other countries.
In 2023, Turkey supplied a consignment of military uniforms to South Sudan, reportedly to support the country’s unified forces.
Turkey’s then ambassador to South Sudan, Erdem Mutaf, said the donation included about 75,000 uniforms, although the figure and types of the consignment could not be independently verified.
Mr Mutaf said the assistance demonstrated Turkey’s support for the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
“I assure you that we, as the Turkish Embassy, in line with our deep historical and cultural ties with South Sudan, will spare no effort to further strengthen Turkish-South Sudanese bilateral relations in the period ahead,” he said.
He said the donation followed a meeting with Tut Gatluak, then President Salva Kiir’s security affairs adviser.
Russia’s growing African influence
Russia has expanded its political, economic and security relationships across Africa in recent years, presenting itself as an alternative partner to Western powers.
For South Sudan, closer ties with Moscow could offer another avenue for defence cooperation as the government continues to argue that the country needs greater capacity to protect its territory and sovereignty.
But military assistance to South Sudan remains particularly sensitive.
The country has endured years of civil war and political instability, and international organisations have repeatedly warned that continued access to weapons could worsen violence.
The government, meanwhile, argues that a unified and adequately equipped national army is essential for implementing the peace agreement and creating conditions for a political transition.
South Sudan is preparing for elections that have been repeatedly delayed since the 2018 peace deal was signed.
The latest discussions with Russia therefore come at a critical moment, with Juba seeking to strengthen its security institutions while facing continued international scrutiny over the country’s fragile peace process.
For now, the talks mark an interest in closer military ties rather than a confirmed Russian arms deal. But any move by Moscow to provide weapons or military equipment could attract close attention from the UN and South Sudan’s international partners.
