President Salva Kiir Mayardit has left Juba for Moscow, Russia, to participate in the third Russia-Africa Summit, the Office of the President said. Kiir departed on Monday, 26 October, ahead of the summit scheduled for 28 and 29 October 2026, according to Access Radio, and Sudans Post reported the same departure and purpose, saying his government seeks to strengthen ties with Russia and attract investment.

Source: Access Radio (Office of the President)

The meeting is expected to bring together African leaders and Russian officials to discuss partnerships and cooperation in several areas, Access Radio reported. South Sudan and Russia have been working to strengthen bilateral relations: in September, the Office of the President reported discussions between the two countries covering economic cooperation, education, culture and Kiir's planned participation in the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow.

Source: Access Radio (Office of the President)

The Moscow gathering is the third Russia-Africa Summit, after Sochi in 2019 and St Petersburg in 2023. Alexander Makogonov, head of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum secretariat section at the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of Partnership with Africa, said on 2 October that the summit 'will mark a new milestone' in Russia-Africa cooperation, would help 'define further priorities for our partnership' and lay a foundation 'for fruitful joint work for years to come', adding: 'We expect a substantial package of interstate agreements and commercial contracts to be signed.'

Source: Global South Focus (Russian Foreign Ministry official)

For Juba, the summit comes as South Sudan seeks to deepen its diplomatic engagement and expand cooperation with Russia and other partners, Access Radio reported — engagement that sits alongside its longstanding relationships with Western partners, rather than replacing them.

Source: Access Radio