Juba, Washington Hold Talks on Sanctions and Rights Reform

(WASHINGTON) – South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Ambassador Monday Semaya K. Kumba, met with the Sanctions and Human Rights team at the United States Department of State on 16 July 2025. The discussions focused on sanctions, governance, human rights and South Sudan’s efforts to improve accountability and support lasting peace.

The meeting marked a significant diplomatic engagement between South Sudan and the United States, reflecting a renewed commitment to improve bilateral relations through transparency and reform. According to officials, the dialogue aimed to address existing concerns while also identifying areas for future cooperation in governance and justice.

During the talks, Ambassador Kumba outlined steps being taken by the Government of South Sudan to uphold human rights and promote good governance. He also presented recent national initiatives focused on legal reform, public accountability, and transitional justice mechanisms.

In response, the U.S. State Department welcomed the engagement and encouraged continued progress on human rights protection, freedom of expression and political inclusion. The U.S. delegation expressed interest in working more closely with South Sudan on shared concerns, including targeted sanctions policy and conflict prevention efforts.

To honour Minister Kumba’s visit, His Excellency Dr. Santino Fardol Watod Dicken, South Sudan’s Ambassador to the United States, hosted a diplomatic dinner reception. The event brought together ambassadors, senior officials from the U.S. government, South Sudanese diaspora members and representatives from the wider diplomatic community in Washington, D.C.

The visit forms part of a broader series of engagements undertaken by Minister Kumba during his trip to the United States.