S. Sudan lawmakers propose bill to relocate embassy in Israel to Jerusalem

JUBA – Two South Sudanese lawmakers have proposed a bill to move the country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, the disputed city that was recognized by the United States government in 2018 as Israel’s capital.

South Sudan becomes an independent nation in July 2011. Immediately, the world’s youngest country established diplomatic relations with the Jewish state with President Salva Kiir Mayardit visiting the Middle Eastern country in December 2011.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel, South Sudan has maintained its embassy in Tel Aviv.

Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, Simon Gatjiek Gatluak, a lawmaker representing the defunct SPLM-IO faction of Vice-president Taban Deng Gai said he and other lawmaker have proposed a bill to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the country’s embassy there.

“Now the parliament is being reconstituted. We hope we return soon to continue with our program. I and one of my colleagues have proposed a bill. That bill calls for the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital,” Gatluak told Sudans Post in an interview in Juba on Monday.

Asked why he believes the embassy should be moved to Jerusalem, Gatluak said he “believes that Israel should designate its capital and it is not foreign governments that chose the capital city for other countries. If Israel has chosen Jerusalem, there is no reason for us to oppose.”