By Metro News Reporter
A diplomatic meeting at the Kremlin has taken an unexpected turn after South Sudanese President Salva Kiir appeared to struggle to read a prepared speech during bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In footage from the October 30 meeting in Moscow, Kiir is seen repeatedly looking down at his written remarks, pausing and appearing to have difficulty following the text as he addressed the Russian leader.
The moment created an uncomfortable atmosphere in the room, with members of his delegation appearing visibly uneasy while Putin and other Russian officials listened.
The footage has since sparked conversations on social media, with some South Sudanese questioning why their president had to make the trip to Moscow and raising concerns about his ability to handle such high-level diplomatic engagements.
The visit was part of the Third Russia-Africa Summit, where Kiir and Putin discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, energy, security and education.
Putin also announced that Russia had increased its scholarship allocation for South Sudanese students to 40 for the 2026–2027 academic year.
But it was the president’s struggle with his prepared remarks, rather than the diplomatic announcements, that has captured public attention.
