South Sudan Passport

【 Country Name 】 The Republic of South Sudan.

【 Area 】 Approximately 620000 square kilometers.

The population is approximately 15 million (as of 2023). It is a multi-ethnic country with 64 tribes including Dinka, Nuwel, Shiruk, and Bari. Most residents believe in primitive tribal religions, with about 18% of residents adhering to Islam and about 17% adhering to Christianity. The official language is English, and Arabic is commonly used.

Juba, the capital, has a population of approximately 500000.

【 Head of State 】 President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the first president of South Sudan since its independence in 2011.

[Important Festival] Peace Day: January 9th; Army Day: May 19th; Independence Day: July 9th; Martyrs' Day: July 30th.

【 Natural Geography 】 Located in northeastern Africa, between the 4-10 degrees north latitude line, it is an inland country. It borders Ethiopia to the east, Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the south, the Central African Republic to the west, and Sudan to the north. The terrain is trough shaped, with hilly and mountainous areas in the eastern, southern, and western border regions, a clay plain in the central region, and Kinyeti Mountain at an altitude of 3187 meters in the southern border, which is the highest peak in the country. Tropical grassland climate, with the rainy season from May to October each year, with temperatures ranging from 20-40 ℃, and the dry season from November to April, with temperatures ranging from 30-50 ℃.

Before the 19th century, South Sudan had no written history. It is generally believed that the Dinka, Nuwel, and Shiruk tribes entered South Sudan around the 10th century. From the 16th to the 18th century, the Azand and Avangara peoples successively established their rule in the region. Starting from the early 18th century, Europeans, with the assistance of Arabs, hunted slaves on the African continent, including South Sudan. In the early 19th century, Egypt and Sudan invaded the South Sudan region. In 1899, Britain and Egypt jointly governed Sudan, and in 1902, they divided the north and south as two entities. In 1955, on the eve of Sudan's declaration of independence, Joseph Agu led black troops to launch a mutiny, and the first civil war between North and South Sudan broke out. In 1972, Agu signed the Addis Ababa Agreement with the Sudanese government, ending the first civil war. In 1983, John Garang launched a mutiny and established the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Liberation Armed Forces, leading to the outbreak of the second civil war. In January 2005, the two sides of Sudan signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), ending the second civil war. According to the agreement, South Sudan held a national referendum in January 2011, with 98.83% of voters supporting independence. On July 9th, the Republic of South Sudan was established.

South Sudan implements a three tiered system of legislative, executive, and judicial powers, with the central and state governments enjoying legislative power. In December 2013, armed conflict erupted between South Sudanese President Kiir and the opposition led by former Vice President Machar. In August 2015, all parties involved in the conflict in South Sudan signed the "Agreement on Resolving the Conflict in South Sudan". In April 2016, South Sudan formed the National Unity Transitional Government. In July, there was another armed conflict between the South Sudanese government army and the opposition. On August 5, 2018, the conflicting factions in South Sudan reached a consensus in the Sudanese capital Khartoum that Kiir would continue to serve as president and Martial would serve as first vice president. On September 12th, the main factions in South Sudan signed the "Revitalization Agreement for Resolving the Conflict in South Sudan" (referred to as the "Revitalization Agreement") in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, reaching consensus on political power allocation, political transition process, security arrangements, and more. According to the agreement, the period from September 2018 to May 2019 is the political transition preparation period, followed by a three-year political transition period and the establishment of political transition mechanisms such as the National Transition Preparation Committee, the National Constitutional Amendment Committee, and the Joint Defense Committee. In May 2019, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IPCC) in East Africa passed a resolution agreeing to extend the political transition preparation period for all factions in South Sudan by six months until November. In November, with the mediation of Sudan and Uganda, various factions in South Sudan extended the political transition preparation period by another 100 days. In February 2020, South Sudan established a Joint Transitional Government. In March, the Transitional Government of South Sudan appointed cabinet ministers and deputy ministers. Afterwards, the various factions in South Sudan reached an agreement on the allocation of administrative states. In January 2021, various factions in South Sudan reached a consensus to extend the political transition period until February 2023. In August 2022, the main factions in South Sudan signed an agreement to extend the political transition period by 24 months from February 2023 to February 2025, and to hold general elections in December 2024. In September 2024, the South Sudanese government announced a two-year extension of the political transition period to February 2027, and postponed the presidential election to December 2026.

On the day of South Sudan's independence on July 9, 2011, former Chairman of the Southern Autonomous Government, Kiir, signed the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan and was sworn in as the first President of the Republic of South Sudan. The transitional constitution consists of 16 parts and 201 articles, including the general chapter, basic rights of citizens, national economic development strategy, state institutions, military, state and local governments, land ownership, and natural resource management. In August 2015, all parties involved in the conflict in South Sudan signed the "Agreement on Resolving the Conflict in South Sudan", which required the establishment of a National Constitutional Amendment Committee to incorporate the agreement into the constitution. The "Revitalization Agreement" signed by all parties involved in the South Sudan conflict in September 2018 also called for the establishment of a National Constitutional Amendment Committee to complete the drafting of a permanent constitution within 24 months of the start of the transition period. In May 2021, the South initiated the formulation of a permanent constitution.

Implement a bicameral system, including the National Assembly (lower house) and state councils (upper house). In the first half of 2021, South Sudan completed the restructuring of both houses and was sworn in in August. The newly elected Speaker of the National Assembly is Jemma Nunu Kumba (female), and the Speaker of the State Council is Deng Deng Deng Akon.

The current government was established in February 2020 and is directly presided over by the President, without the position of Prime Minister. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President Riek Machar, Vice President James Wani Igga, Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi, Vice President Taban Deng Gai, and Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior. The main ministers include: Chol Mawut Unguec Ajongo, Minister of Presidential Affairs; Martin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Ramadan Mohammed Abdullah Goc, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Chol Thon Balok, Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs; Angelina Jany Teny, Minister of Interior; Obutu Mamur Mete, Minister of National Security; Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information, Communications Technology and Postal Services; Finance and Planning Minister Marial Dongrin Ater, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Ater Kang Chol).

When South Sudan gained independence, the country was divided into 10 states: North Ghazal, West Ghazal, Walab, Lakes, Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria, and Western Equatoria. In October 2015, President Kiir issued a presidential decree revoking the original 10 states and establishing 28 states. The opposition in South Sudan accuses this move of violating the constitution and the spirit of the peace agreement. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IPCC), the United Nations Security Council, and others have called on South Sudan to suspend the implementation of the controversial 28 state plan. In January 2017, President Kiir issued a presidential decree to adjust the administrative divisions again, establishing a total of 32 states. In February 2020, the Southern government announced a new plan for the establishment of 10 administrative states and 3 administrative regions.

The judicial system is composed of the Supreme Court, appellate courts, high courts, and other courts. The transitional constitution stipulates that administrative and legislative bodies at all levels should respect and protect the independence of the judiciary. The Supreme Court is composed of the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, and no less than 9 other judges, all nominated by the President and approved by a two-thirds majority of the Parliament. The current Chief Justice is Chan Reec Madut.

The ruling party is the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), while other major political factions include the Sudan People's Liberation Movement Opposition (SPLM-IO), the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), and other political parties (OPP).

Sudan People's Liberation Movement: Established in Ethiopia in 1983 by Sudanese government military officer John Garang. After the independence of South Sudan in 2011, it became the ruling party. Currently, South Sudanese President Kiir and Vice President Vanni serve as the party chairman and first vice chairman, respectively.

[Important Person] President Salva Kiir Mayardit, born in 1951, is a Dinka ethnic group. Joined the southern anti-government "Aniania" movement in the 1960s. Joined the government army after the signing of the 1972 peace agreement. In 1983, he co founded the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) with Galang. In 1986, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of SPLA. In July 2005, he was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Southern Autonomous Government. In August 2005, he was appointed as the First Vice President of the Sudanese National Unity Government and Chairman of the Southern Autonomous Government. Re elected in April 2010. He became the first president of South Sudan after its independence on July 9, 2011.

South Sudan is one of the least developed countries in the world, with a serious lack of infrastructure and social services such as roads, water and electricity, healthcare, education, etc. Commodities are mostly imported and expensive. The international community has provided significant assistance to South Sudan in infrastructure construction and public services. In July 2011, the Central Bank of South Sudan issued a new currency, the South Sudanese Pound (SSP).

The economy of South Sudan heavily relies on oil resources, with development projects mainly in areas 1/2/4, 3/7, and 5. Oil revenue accounts for approximately 90% of the government's fiscal revenue. In early 2012, due to the escalating conflict with Sudan over the distribution of oil benefits, South Sudan shut down all wells and ceased production. In April 2013, South Sudan resumed oil production through international mediation and difficult negotiations between the two countries. At the end of 2013 and in July 2016, there were two internal conflicts in South Sudan, which severely affected oil production. Since April 2023, the internal conflict in Sudan has posed a potential threat to South Sudan's oil exports. In February 2024, a blockage accident occurred in the Sudanese section of the South Sudan oil export pipeline.

Natural resources are abundant, mainly including oil, iron, copper, zinc, chromium, tungsten, mica, gold, silver, etc. Water resources are also abundant. The land is fertile and suitable for large-scale development of agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry. The proven oil reserves are about 4.7 billion barrels, and the recoverable reserves are 2.26 billion barrels.

There is almost no large-scale industrial production, and industrial products and daily necessities rely entirely on imports.

The arable land area for agriculture is approximately 25 million hectares. There are many types of crops suitable for cultivation, especially some tropical and subtropical crops. The main crops include cotton, peanuts, sorghum, millet, wheat, arabic gum, sugarcane, cassava, mango, papaya, banana, potato, sesame, etc. The forest coverage rate exceeds 36%.

The South Sudan Armed Forces is known as the South Sudan People's Defense Forces. The mission of the armed forces is to defend the Constitution of South Sudan, maintain territorial integrity, and safeguard the safety of the people. President Kiir concurrently serves as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The Ministry of National Defense is the highest leadership body of the military, and the General Staff Department is the highest military command authority.

The education level in South Sudan is relatively backward, with a lack of teaching facilities. The illiteracy rate exceeds 70%, and the enrollment rate for children aged 6 and above is less than 40%. Higher education institutions include Juba University, Upper Nile University, Rumbek University, Torit University, Northern Bahru University, etc.

After its establishment, South Sudan has established diplomatic relations with over 110 countries, including the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. On July 14, 2011, South Korea became the 193rd member state of the United Nations and has since been admitted as a member of organizations such as the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the Group of 77. In terms of diplomacy, South Sudan adheres to good neighborly friendship, respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, insists on non-interference in internal affairs, actively promotes unity among African countries and regional integration cooperation, and advocates resolving differences through peaceful means. In November 2023, South Sudanese President Kiir will serve as the Chairman of the East African Community Summit.

South Sudan had close relations with the United States. During the Sudanese Civil War from 1983 to 2005, the United States supported Southern Sudan. In September 2001, US President Bush announced his involvement in the North South peace process in Sudan. After the 9/11 attacks, the United States adjusted its policy towards Sudan, accelerated the North South peace process, and ultimately led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005, ending Sudan's 22 year long civil war. After the establishment of the Southern Sudan Autonomous Government, the United States established a consulate general in the southern capital Juba and dispatched numerous "volunteers" to assist in the work within the autonomous government. Since 2010, the US government has provided approximately $300 million in aid to South Sudan annually. On the day of South Sudan's independence, US President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary congratulated each other, and the US officially established diplomatic relations with South Sudan through an exchange of notes. After the outbreak of the civil war in South Sudan at the end of 2013, the United States actively intervened in mediation and, together with the United Kingdom and Norway, formed the "three pillars" of the North South Sudan issue. After the outbreak of civil war in South Sudan in July 2016, the United States began imposing sanctions on the country and pushed for the United Nations Security Council to pass two sanctions resolutions against South Sudan in the first half of 2018. In November 2018, US National Security Advisor Bolton publicly criticized the leaders of South Sudan and emphasized that the United States would not provide financial support for the political transition in South Sudan when elaborating on the new strategy for Africa. In December 2019, the South Sudanese government condemned the US policy towards South Sudan for hindering the peace process and recalled the South's ambassador to the United States. In January 2020, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Najib visited South Africa. In November, Stuart, the US Special Envoy for South Sudan, visited South Sudan. In 2020, the United States provided $21.8 million in anti epidemic assistance to South Sudan. At the beginning of 2021, the United States pledged $482 million in humanitarian aid to South Sudan. In May, US Special Envoy for the Two Soviet Issues, Booth, visited South Africa. In July, US President Biden accused the South Sudanese government of committing genocide and war crimes. In 2022, the United States issued multiple statements through the "Three Horsemen" accusing the South government of being responsible for the violent conflict, urging South leaders to take action to end the violence, and hold perpetrators accountable. In September, the United States issued a statement through the "Troika" opposing the extension of the political transition period in the South and calling on South leaders to take responsibility and effectively implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. In January 2024, the United States, along with the United Kingdom and Norway, issued a joint statement urging South Korea to hold elections as scheduled. In February, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Africa and Soviet Affairs, Lord, visited South Africa.

On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became independent and Sudan peacefully split. However, due to serious differences between the two sides on major issues such as border demarcation, distribution of oil interests, and ownership of the Abu Dhabi region, the progress of negotiations has been slow, and the two countries have been at odds, with intense border conflicts erupting. In September 2012, the heads of state of the two Soviet Union signed a series of agreements in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on bilateral cooperation, border security, economy, citizenship, and other issues. But there are still differences between the two sides on border demarcation and the ownership of the Abu Yai region. With the active mediation of the African Union, in March 2013, the two Soviet Union reached an agreement in Addis Ababa on the implementation of the border security agreement and the timetable proposed by the African Union for the implementation of the agreed upon agreement. In September, South Sudanese President Kiir visited Sudan. In October, Sudanese President Bashir visited South Sudan. After the outbreak of the civil war in South Sudan at the end of 2013, Sudan actively participated in the mediation efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IPCC) in East Africa. Since 2016, the relationship between the two Soviet Union has further eased and improved. In 2018, with the strong mediation of Sudanese President Bashir, the main factions in South Sudan signed a comprehensive peace agreement in the Sudanese capital Khartoum in September, initiating the political transition process. In October 2019, peace talks in Sudan officially began in the capital of South Sudan, Juba. In November 2019, with the mediation of Sudan and other countries, the political transition preparation period in South Sudan was extended by 100 days to February 2020. In September 2020, the South Petroleum Minister visited Sudan. In October, the Transitional Government of Sudan signed the Juba Peace Agreement with the main opposition armed groups in Juba. In March 2021, the Chairman of the Sudan Sovereignty Council, Burhan, visited South Sudan. In August, Sudanese Transitional Government Prime Minister Hamduk visited South Sudan. In March 2022, the Chairman of the Sudan Sovereignty Council, Burhan, visited South Sudan. In August, the Chairman of the Sudan Sovereignty Council, Burhan, attended the graduation ceremony of the first batch of unified forces in South Sudan. In January 2023, the Chairman of the Sudan Sovereignty Council, Burhan, visited South Sudan. After the armed conflict in Sudan in April 2023, South Sudanese President Kiir and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued statements urging relevant parties in Sudan to immediately cease fire and resolve the conflict through dialogue. In September, the Chairman of the Sudan Sovereignty Council, Burhan, visited South Sudan. In April 2024, the Vice Chairman of the Sudan Sovereignty Council, Agar, visited South Sudan. In September, the Chairman of the Sudan Sovereignty Council, Burhan, visited South Sudan.

The relationship between South Sudan and Ethiopia is relatively close, and South Sudan is an important commodity export market for Ethiopia. In 1972, under the mediation of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, the northern and southern sides of Sudan signed the Addis Ababa Agreement. The Mengistu government in Ethiopia is the most important foreign aid provider to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. In July 2011, Ethiopia established diplomatic relations with South Sudan. Since then, there have been frequent high-level visits between the two sides. The two countries have established a ministerial level joint committee and formed a strategic partnership to strengthen cooperation in areas such as transportation, trade, communication, education, capacity building, and security. At the end of 2013 and in July 2016, two civil wars broke out in South Sudan. Ethiopia, as the rotating chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, actively played a role in mediation and good offices, and proposed to hold three "High level Forum on Revitalizing the South Sudan Peace Agreement" meetings in Addis Ababa from the end of 2017 to the first half of 2018. Ethiopia is also closely cooperating with countries such as Sudan and Uganda to facilitate the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement among major factions in South Sudan. Ethiopia has deployed over 1200 peacekeeping troops in South Sudan. In May 2020, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedo visited South Africa. In August 2021, South Sudanese President Kiir visited Ethiopia. In March 2023, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy visited South Africa. In August 2023, South Sudanese President Kiir visited Ethiopia.

Kenya is an important neighboring country of South Sudan, with a common border of over 200 kilometers, and has maintained friendly relations for a long time. Kenya actively participates in the North South peace process in Sudan, and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement reached between the two sides in January 2005 was signed in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Kenya actively helps South Sudan develop its economy by providing significant assistance in areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure construction, and personnel training. After the outbreak of the civil war in South Sudan at the end of 2013, Kenya, as a member state of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, played an active mediating role in the South Sudan issue and, together with other parties, facilitated the signing of multiple peace agreements among the conflicting parties in South Sudan. At the end of July 2021, South Sudan and Kenya decided to implement visa exemption for their citizens. In May 2022, South Sudanese President Kiir went to Kenya to attend the funeral of former Kenyan President Kibaki. In September, South Sudanese President Kiir went to Kenya to attend the inauguration ceremony of Kenya's new president Ruto. In December, Kenyan President Ruto visited South Sudan. In August 2023, South Sudanese President Kiir visited Kenya. In January 2024, Kenyan President Ruto agreed to host peace talks between the South Sudanese government and opposition factions that had not signed the Agreement on the Revitalization of the Conflict in South Sudan.

Uganda is an important neighboring country of South Sudan. In July 2011, Ugandan President Museveni visited Juba to participate in South Sudan's independence celebration. On the same day, Uganda issued a statement recognizing South Sudan. In the same month, Uganda and Ethiopia signed an agreement to establish a ministerial committee to jointly support the development of South Sudan. After the outbreak of conflict in South Sudan at the end of 2013, Uganda sent troops to assist the South Sudanese government in cracking down on opposition armed groups. In 2015, Uganda announced its withdrawal from South Sudan. After the outbreak of civil war in South Sudan in July 2016, Uganda once again sent troops to help maintain social stability in South Sudan. In 2018, Uganda actively participated in promoting the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement among major factions in South Sudan. At the end of 2019, Uganda participated in mediation and facilitated the technical extension of the political transition preparation period in South Sudan. In June 2022, the Speaker of the South Sudan National Assembly, Kunba, visited Uganda. In July, South Sudanese President Kiir visited Uganda. In September 2023, South Sudanese President Kiir visited Uganda. In January 2024, South Sudanese President Kiir went to Uganda to attend the 19th Conference of the Non Aligned Movement.