In the challenging framework of South Sudan, the top priority of the Head of the European Union Delegation is to sustain the implementation of the Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS), in particular by providing maximum support to the implementing and monitoring bodies of the peace agreement.

Further activities in this regard include the consolidation of the political dialogue with the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) on a range of issues of importance to the EU. These include security sector reform, sound macro-economic reforms, management of natural resources, constitutional process, justice and reconciliation as well as promotion of human rights and accountability in close cooperation with the African Union (AU) and  the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The Head of Delegation is also active in ensuring political and donor coordination at EU Heads of Mission level and with other key regional and international partners as well as in overseeing the definition and implementation of development policies, in coordination with international donors in a new approach with the Transitional Government. This is based on progress in the implementation of the peace agreement.

In view of the longer term strategic goals, Stefano De Leo has re-commenced dialogue with the Transitional Government  authorities on acceding to the Cotonou Agreement as well as promoting  regional cooperation with key neighbours – Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, and integration into  regional groupings, notably Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC) - which with it signed accession signed in April 2016.

Stefano De Leo and his staff at the Delegation are also engaged in outreach to the South Sudanese public, media and civil society to promote and explain the work of the EU in the country and to strengthen mutual relations.