Tribute: Metin Ergin, the Turkish Ambassador who touched hearts, left mark in South Sudan

For those who worked closely with Ergin, his legacy will not be defined solely by the agreements he pursued or the diplomatic engagements he attended, but also by the compassion he demonstrated and the strong relationships he established

By Binia Elizabeth

The late Turkish Ambassador to South Sudan, Metin Ergin, is remembered as a compassionate diplomat whose commitment to strengthening relations between Türkiye and South Sudan extended beyond diplomatic engagements to education, humanitarian assistance and personal connections with the people he served.

Ergin died on November 2, 2026, at the age of 59, after serving as Türkiye’s ambassador to South Sudan since November 2024. His death has drawn condolences from government officials, diplomats and members of the public, with many visiting the Turkish embassy in Juba to pay their respects.

Zayneb Yurabeyoglu Argan, Türkiye’s Chargé d’Affaires in Juba, described Ergin as a kind hearted and dedicated individual who placed his professional responsibilities beyond personal interests.

“He was passionate about his work and most of the time he put his work ahead of himself, but he was also very compassionate about his staff, about his loved ones, about the people of South Sudan and all the friends that he made while he was in Juba” Argan said.

Expansion, legalisation of bilateral ties

She said Ergin would be remembered for his kindness and the relationships he built during his relatively short time in South Sudan.

For Argan, one of his greatest achievements was the positive impression he left on the people he encountered.

“I think personally the single biggest achievement a person can have is to come to a foreign land and imprint yourself on people’s hearts in that manner within such a short time,” she said

She pointed to the number of people visiting the embassy to offer condolences and the sincere emotions expressed by mourners as evidence of the impact he had made.

Since arriving in South Sudan in November 2024, Ergin worked to strengthen bilateral relations between Juba and Ankara, with particular attention to creating a stronger legal foundation for cooperation between the two countries.

Argan said one of his priorities was securing the ratification of agreements already signed between the two governments while working towards the signing of additional agreements.

The legal frameworks, she said, would strengthen existing relations and provide opportunities for cooperation in areas that would directly benefit the people of South Sudan.

According to Argan, Ergin remained committed to South Sudan even when he travelled back to Türkiye, he constantly thought of what more he could do to advance his work and contribute to the country’s development.

“He still thought, what can I do better for my job here as ambassador, what else can I do for the South Sudanese nation that I’m here to further our relations with,” she said.

Argan said the embassy would work to carry forward his vision and continue strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

Ergin’s commitment to S. Sudanese education

Education was among the areas where Türkiye continued to demonstrate its commitment to South Sudan during Ergin’s tenure.

In October 2025, Türkiye awarded scholarships to 45 South Sudanese students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at universities across Türkiye.

The scholarship recipients were selected to study different disciplines, including engineering, political science, pharmacy and many other fields.

Speaking during a briefing at the Turkish Embassy before the students’ departure, Ergin said the number of beneficiaries had almost doubled compared with previous years.

He described the programme as a continuous initiative and encouraged students and parents to apply early for future opportunities.

The scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation, airfare, health insurance and monthly stipends, providing students with opportunities to acquire knowledge and professional skills that could contribute to the development of South Sudan.

The programme also forms part of a longstanding educational partnership between the two countries. More than 200 South Sudanese students had benefited from Türkiye’s scholarship opportunities over the preceding decade, according to reporting on the programme.

For Ergin, supporting students was an investment in the country’s future generations and an opportunity to strengthen people to people relations between the two nations.

Beyond education and diplomacy, Türkiye has maintained development initiatives and humanitarian assistance relationship with South Sudan through institutions such as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).

One of the notable development initiatives during Ergin’s tenure was the construction of a water project in Ngangala Boma, which was aimed at improving access to clean water for local residents.

During the commissioning of the facility, which draws water from 85 metres underground, Ergin described water as “the source of all life” and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting communities in South Sudan.

35 years of diplomatic service

As the world went into mourning, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, recognised the late Ergin’s 35 years of dedicated service to the country.

In a statement published on November 3, Fidan expressed deep sadness over the ambassador’s passing and extended condolences to his family, loved ones and colleagues.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ambassador Metin Ergin, who represented our country in South Sudan,” Fidan said.

He also praised Ergin for serving Türkiye with dedication for 35 years and prayed for God’s mercy upon him.

Born in Istanbul in 1967, Ergin joined Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992. During his diplomatic career, he held several positions within the ministry and served as consul general in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Antwerp, Belgium, before his appointment to South Sudan.

His diplomatic career spanned more than three decades, during which he represented Türkiye in different international assignments.

For those who worked closely with Ergin, his legacy will not be defined solely by the agreements he pursued or the diplomatic engagements he attended, but also by the compassion he demonstrated and the strong relationships he established.

Argan said the embassy would continue working towards the objectives he had set for strengthening relations between Türkiye and South Sudan.

As condolences continue to reach the Turkish Embassy in Juba, Ergin is remembered as a diplomat who sought to build lasting connections between his country and the people of South Sudan.

His death marks the loss of a diplomatic representative, but the partnerships, opportunities and friendships developed during his service remain part of the relationship between the two nations