The Russian Federation and South Sudan have agreed to advance geological exploration and mapping of the African republic’s natural resource deposits. In discussing the development, Chol Tong Mayai Jang, South Sudan’s ambassador to Moscow, described the move as a significant step for both nations. He emphasized that the agreement represents a concrete mechanism to obtain a clearer picture of the country’s mineral wealth, which remains largely poorly quantified at present.
The arrangement, formalized through a cooperation framework between Rosgeologiya and the Ministry of Mining of South Sudan, focuses on a comprehensive assessment of the republic’s natural resources. This partnership aims to create detailed geological maps and extend exploratory studies that could unlock potential reserves across multiple sectors, including minerals, hydrocarbons, and other geological endowments. The ambassador noted that his government welcomed this offer, highlighting a shared sense of urgency to upgrade how the nation inventories and evaluates its natural assets.
South Sudan is known to possess abundant natural resources, but there has long been a gap between potential and precise knowledge of quantities and locations. The ambassador pointed out that prior to this initiative there had not been a nationwide geological survey of the country in a formal, collaborative framework. He stressed that mapping efforts are expected to yield better data, supporting more informed decisions about investment, development planning, and sustainable use of resources.
Under the terms of the project, the contract specifies a two-year timeline to complete the initial phase of exploration and mapping. This schedule is designed to allow systematic data collection, analysis, and verification, with periodic reporting to both parties. The ambassador underscored that the collaboration will involve state-of-the-art geophysical and geochemical methods, field campaigns, and capacity-building components to help South Sudan develop local expertise and institutional capabilities in geology and mining.
A noteworthy aspect of the arrangement is Rosgeologiya’s broader experience in the region, including ongoing work in neighboring Sudan. Although the political status of the region has shifted, the Russian side remains engaged in geological research and resource assessment across the broader area. The ambassador indicated that Russia holds a strategic interest in understanding South Sudan’s resource landscape as a basis for responsible exploration and potential future development opportunities that align with both countries’ interests.
In remarks tied to the broader partnership, the ambassador suggested that this moment is well suited for enhancing technical cooperation, local capacity development, and knowledge transfer. He highlighted that Rosgeologiya could play a pivotal role in training South Sudanese professionals, sharing best practices in survey design, data interpretation, and environmental safeguards. The aim is to build a robust foundation for transparent, evidence-based resource governance that serves the needs of South Sudan’s people while maintaining regional stability and responsible management of natural assets.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s discussions with South Sudanese leader Salva Kiir underscored a shared desire to promote economic development through practical collaboration. The talks touched on the importance of tapping natural resources to support growth, improve infrastructure, and foster fiscally sustainable projects. The two leaders reiterated that concrete, tangible programs—such as the current geological mapping initiative—are essential for turning potential into measurable outcomes that benefit both nations and their citizens.
The dialogue between Moscow and Juba in this area reflects a broader pattern of engagement aimed at fostering balanced development, advancing scientific capabilities, and strengthening strategic ties. While the specifics of future ventures will depend on the outcomes of the mapping and the subsequent analyses, the immediate focus remains on collecting high-quality data, building local expertise, and creating a transparent framework for resource exploration that aligns with regional norms and international best practices.
Ultimately, the collaboration signals a purposeful step toward better understanding the natural resources of South Sudan and translating that knowledge into responsible, inclusive growth. As field teams prepare to deploy and surveys begin, observers will watch how the partnership unfolds, how data is managed, and how governance structures adapt to new information about the republic’s mineral wealth and development potential.