JUBA – The Canadian Ambassador to South Sudan, Aly-Khan Rajani on Wednesday presented his credentials to the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.
Speaking during the event held at State House in the capital, Juba, Ambassador Rajani underscored Canada’s commitment to its relationship with South Sudan.
He said Canada supports peace, prosperity, democracy as aspects of inclusion.
“The two leaders spoke about the deep people-to-people that bind Canada and South Sudan together,” partly reads a statement extended to Sudans Post.
He said Canada has so far contributed more than $100 million to South Sudan in support of health, education, food security as well as sustainable livelihoods.
“The ambassador also raised how Canada is supporting an enabling environment ahead of the country’s elections, slated for December 2024, by investing directly in South Sudanese-led organizations, in particular, women and youth-led organizations as well as Canadian and international organizations,” said Rajani.
The envoy reiterated his government’s support for a process that is fundamentally owned and led by South Sudanese and encouraged dialogue across parties.
Rajani arrived in South Sudan in September 2023, after serving as Departmental Liaison Officer in the office of Canada’s Minister of International Development.
Since joining the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in 2007, Rajani had served in a variety of positions, including on the Afghanistan Taskforce at the Privy Council Office and as senior advisor to the President of CIDA.
His worked in Cairo and Beirut (Head of Cooperation), New Delhi (Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs), and Mumbai (acting Head of Political/Economic).
Prior to joining the Canadian Foreign Service, Rajani served in a variety of humanitarian and development assistance roles, including in crisis settings.