South Sudan condemns Iranian attacks on ‘friendly’ Israel, Gulf countries

JUBA — South Sudan’s foreign ministry on Friday condemned Iranian missile and drone strikes against multiple Middle Eastern nations, labeling the attacks on Israel, Gulf states, and other “friendly countries” a violation of international law.

In a press statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation outlined its opposition to the military escalation, which included the targeting of key maritime shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan condemns the missile and drone attacks launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran against our friendly countries namely the State of Israel, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, State of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman, the Republic of Türkiye, Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Azerbaijan,” the statement read.

The ministry specifically criticized the economic and civilian disruptions caused by the strikes.

“These attacks and strikes are unjustifiable,” the ministry said. “The targeting of energy sector, residential areas and supply chain through the Strait of Hormuz and other areas are a violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, as well as other regional legal instruments governing the relations between countries.”

South Sudan’s diplomatic alignment with the Gulf bloc reflects its increasing financial reliance on the region. Following the disruption of its primary oil export pipeline due to the civil war in neighboring Sudan, Juba has turned to the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations for financial lifelines.

These ties frequently involve heavily discounted, opaque oil-for-cash loans brokered with regional companies. United Nations investigators have repeatedly criticized these resource-backed deals, detailing how national oil revenues are siphoned off by South Sudanese political elites through illicit corporate networks and black-market dealings in the Gulf.

These transactions bypass standard national oversight, further compounding the country’s severe economic crisis.

The foreign ministry’s statement also underscores South Sudan’s enduring geopolitical relationship with Israel and the United States.

Israel provided covert military support to South Sudanese rebels during their decades-long war for independence from Khartoum.

When South Sudan declared independence in 2011, Israel was among the first nations to recognize the new government, and the two countries maintain close technological and agricultural cooperation.

The United States served as the primary diplomatic architect of South Sudan’s independence and remains its largest humanitarian donor.

However, Washington’s relations with President Salva Kiir’s government have strained in recent years over chronic delays in democratic elections, rights abuses, and the slow implementation of the country’s 2018 peace agreement.

Despite these diplomatic frictions with Washington, Juba maintains its alignment with the U.S.-Israeli coalition and the Gulf bloc.

The ministry aligned its position with recent statements from African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, both issued on Feb. 28.

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan express its concern for peace and stability in the Gulf area and globally,” the ministry added. “South Sudan acknowledges the resilience of the people and governments of the affected countries.”