Türkiyeaccredits the first ever Turkish Military Attaché to South Sudan

By Benjamin Takpiny

The Turkish government has accredited its first-ever Turkish military attaché to the Republic of South Sudan.

Erdem Mutaf, the Turkish Ambassador to South Sudan said that the accreditation of the Turkish military attaché is a milestone in their bilateral relations with South Sudan.

“We had meetings with Hon. Chol Thon Balok, Minister of Defense and Gen. Santino Wol, Chief of Staff and I introduced our first military attaché Colonel Erdinç Parlak. I told the minister and Gen. Santino that Türkiye is committed to enhance and diversify our bilateral relations in every field,” Mutaf said in a statement on Sunday.

He said that the previous donation of 75, 000 military uniforms, altogether 275,000 non-lethal military equipment is the indication of the level of importance Türkiye attaches to South Sudan.

“I also assured my counterparts that Türkiye will stand by South Sudan in her efforts to bring peace, stability and prosperity to the country,” Mutaf said.

Relations between Türkiye and South Sudan

Türkiye is one of the first countries which recognized the independence of the Republic of South Sudan. Right after the independence, Türkiye’s Consulate General in Juba was upgraded to Embassy status.

Turkish Embassy was one of the first diplomatic missions in the country. South Sudan opened its Embassy in Ankara in 2012.

Ever since, bilateral relations have been developing between Türkiye and South Sudan.