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South Sudan Seeks to Join BRICS 'When Time Comes,' Foreign Minister Says

16:59, 30 September 2023

Rasina Musallimova

Writer

During the BRICS Summit on August 22-24 in South Africa, two African countries, Egypt and Ethiopia, along with other four states, were accepted into the bloc. South Sudan President Salva Kiir has also shown interest in joining the group.

Sputnik

South Sudan aims to join BRICS "when the time comes," the state's Foreign Minister James Pitia Morgan told Sputnik Africa in an exclusive interview.

As for now, the country is going to "take its time" to consider the application for membership.

"I think BRICS is mainly for the development. And South Sudan is going to take its time to see how we can join it, as was already said by our president. And most of the work is always that the BRICS has impressed many countries around the globe. And we also will be part of that group when the time comes," the foreign minister stressed.

The top diplomat added that for now, the country is searching for "ways of how it could fit in."

"As a new nation, we are looking for where we can fit better. And we also can be received by friends who can welcome us into the club so that we can become part of them. But for the time being, as the president said, of course the work will go to our technical people to study and find the ways of how we could fit in. [...] So it will take its time, and then we will come and be part of our friends who are already there. But for the time being, I think the technical people will be to study it, and then we will come," he said.

Opinion

S. Sudan's Engagement With Russia is Not 'Picking Sides' But Mutual Respect: Expert

30 September 2023, 15:33

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir was on an official visit to Moscow this week, where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about bilateral cooperation between the two states. Following the meeting, the South Sudanese foreign minister elaborated on some of the topics covered by the leaders during the "historical" visit.

He highlighted that South Sudan "appreciated" Russia's readiness to help ensure security in the African country, and revealed that Kiir asked Putin to provide humanitarian aid to solve the refugee problem in the state.

According to the African leader, South Sudan struggles with settling thousands of people, who have fled from neighboring Sudan due to the government's clashes with the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces, which broke out in April.

In addition, Morgan commented on the economic partnership between the countries, noting that South Sudan has invited Russian companies to come to the state and enhance cooperation in various fields, including minerals and oil exploration, hydroelectricity and industrialization.