During the 80th session on Friday, the General Assembly overwhelmingly supported recognition of a Palestinian state, with 142 countries voting in favour. Ten countries—Argentina, Hungary, Israel, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and the United States—opposed the resolution.
South Sudan, alongside Albania, Cameroon, Czechia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fiji, Guatemala, North Macedonia, Moldova, and Samoa, chose to abstain, signalling neutrality.
The New York Declaration presents a roadmap for a two-state solution. It calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state. The plan also includes the disarmament of Hamas, its exclusion from Gaza’s governance, normalisation between Israel and Arab countries, and collective security guarantees.
For Juba, abstention reflects a cautious foreign policy. South Sudan formally joined the Non-Aligned Movement in July 2023 at a summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, committing itself to a path that avoids entanglement in major geopolitical disputes. By neither endorsing nor rejecting the declaration, the government aims to preserve relations with diverse partners while maintaining diplomatic flexibility.
This balancing act comes amid deepening political and economic ties with Israel. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 2011, South Sudan and Israel have steadily strengthened cooperation.
Earlier this year, media reports claimed that the two countries were discussing controversial plans to host Palestinians displaced from Gaza as part of Israel’s broader strategy for the territory, which has endured nearly two years of continuous bombardment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dismissed the reports on two occasions, reiterating that ongoing engagements with Israel—particularly under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding—focus on investment opportunities in South Sudan.
By abstaining from the vote, South Sudan sought to avoid jeopardising its growing partnership with Israel while also recognising the sensitivities surrounding the Palestinian cause in multilateral forums. The move underscores Juba’s effort to pursue a pragmatic, non-aligned foreign policy in an increasingly polarised global environment.
