Lawmakers in South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) have rejected a cooperation agreement signed with Saudi Arabia, citing concerns that parts of the deal could undermine the country’s economic sovereignty and expose strategic sectors to excessive foreign influence.
The agreement was signed in Riyadh in January 2022 as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between South Sudan and Saudi Arabia.
The proposed framework sought to expand cooperation in agriculture, mining, health, education, tourism, culture, and investment.
However, members of parliament raised concerns during deliberations, arguing that some provisions of the agreement did not adequately protect South Sudan’s national interests.
MPs warned that the deal could allow excessive foreign influence in strategic sectors of the economy and weaken the country’s control over key national resources.
Speaking to the media on Friday, May 15, 2026, parliament spokesperson Oliver Mori Benjamin said lawmakers agreed the agreement should be returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further review and clarification.
“It was clear that this [Saudi-South Sudan] agreement does not favour the interest of people of the Republic of South Sudan for a lot of point raise during this joint agreement,” Mori said.
“Therefore, the parliament resolved this agreement to be return back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further clarification and re-table it,” he added.
Several lawmakers reportedly questioned clauses related to investment and management of strategic sectors, saying the terms lacked clear safeguards for local participation and state oversight.
Others argued that international agreements involving critical sectors such as mining and agriculture should undergo more extensive scrutiny before ratification.
The rejection reflects growing concerns within parliament over foreign investment arrangements and the need to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of national assets.
Some MPs also emphasized that foreign partnerships should create direct economic benefits for South Sudanese citizens while preserving the country’s independence in decision-making.
Despite rejecting the current agreement, lawmakers said South Sudan remains open to cooperation with international partners, provided such agreements align with national laws and priorities.
Saudi Arabia has in recent years expanded its engagement across Africa through investment partnerships, infrastructure projects, and agricultural cooperation initiatives.
The parliament’s decision is expected to delay implementation of the proposed cooperation framework until revisions are made and the agreement is re-submitted for legislative consideration.
