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.

On 9 July 2011, Türkiye was represented by the then Minister of Development Mr. Cevdet Yılmaz at the independence ceremony held in Juba. South Sudan opened its Embassy in Ankara in 2012.

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

The then Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nhial Deng Nhial paid a visit to Türkiye on 22-23 November 2012 at the invitation of our Minister and the inauguration of the Embassy in Ankara was held.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin and Minister of the Office of the Head of State Awan Guol Riak attended the “Commemoration Ceremonies for the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli Land Battles” in Çanakkale and Istanbul on 23-25 April 2015.

H.E. Awut Deng Acuil, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan paid an official visit to Türkiye on 5-9 January 2020.

On 25 July 2023, Minister of Defense and Veterans of South Sudan Chol Thon Balok met Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler on the margins of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2023).

On 21 December 2023, during his visit to Ankara, Minister of Information, Communication Technologies and Postal Services Micahel Makuei Lueth was received by Mr. Yalçın Topçu, Chief Advisor to the President of the Republic of Türkiye.

Mr. James Pitia Morgan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan, participated in the 3rd Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) on 1-3 March 2024.

On 25 April 2025, the Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, Dr. Fatih Karahan and the Governor of the Central Bank of South Sudan Mr. Johny Osian Damian held a meeting on the occasion of the IMF Spring Meetings in Washington DC. During the meeting, the development of bilateral relations between the two central banks, technical cooperation activities, areas of cooperation in the banking sector were discussed.

Economic and commercial relations between Türkiye and South Sudan has considerable potential. Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Türkiye and South Sudan was signed in April 2017. The trade volume between two countries has increased by 700 percent since 2018, reaching 21.9 million USD in 2024.

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) carries out humanitarian aid, capacity building, and technical cooperation projects in the country.

Within the framework of Türkiye Scholarships, 184 South Sudanese students were granted scholarships between 1992-2023. Currently, 91 South Sudanese scholarship students continue their education in Türkiye.