South Sudan Moves to Revive Stalled Energy Deal With Russia

JUBA, South Sudan — September 7, 2026

South Sudan is seeking to revive a stalled energy cooperation agreement with Russia as the government looks for new ways to expand electricity generation and address the country's persistent power shortages.

The discussions involve South Sudan's Minister of Energy, Agok Makur Kur, and Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Kosmodemiyanskiy. According to the Energy Ministry, the two sides discussed restarting implementation of a memorandum of understanding between South Sudan and Russian hydropower company RusHydro.

The agreement was originally signed in 2024, but implementation has stalled. The latest talks focused on possible cooperation in hydropower, oil and gas, renewable energy and other areas where Russian technology and expertise could be used.

For South Sudan, the discussions are particularly important because access to reliable electricity remains limited. Expanding domestic power generation could support households as well as businesses, hospitals, schools and other essential services.

The latest talks also form part of broader energy discussions between Juba and Moscow. In June, South Sudan's Deputy Minister of Petroleum, Santino Ayuel Longar, met Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin in Moscow to discuss expanding cooperation in the energy sector. Russia said it was prepared to support mutually beneficial projects between the two countries.

However, the latest discussions do not yet amount to the launch of a new power project. No construction timetable, project cost, financing package or electricity-generation target has been publicly announced.

That distinction is important. The immediate development is that the two governments are discussing how to restart an existing agreement and move cooperation forward, rather than announcing that construction has begun.

The energy talks come as South Sudan and Russia expand relations in other areas. Russia recently reiterated support for South Sudan's planned elections and discussed establishing a parliamentary friendship group between the two countries.

Whether the renewed discussions with RusHydro lead to actual investment will depend on the next steps, including technical planning, financing and formal project agreements.