South Sudan and South Africa tighten bilateral relations through a high-level diplomatic working visit as South Sudanese President Salva Kiir met with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria. This strategic meeting reinforces a partnership historically anchored in solidarity, post-conflict reconstruction, and Pretoria's leadership of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan. By reviewing the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, South Africa is actively assisting Juba in navigating domestic political friction and stabilizing its security sector. The two presidents meet as South Sudan prepares for its historic 22 December 2026 general elections. We spoke to Daniel Akech Thiong, Senior Analyst on South Sudan at the International Crisis Group