Ambassador Christian Bader, Head of the European Union Delegation to South Sudan

Following the outbreak of the crisis in December 2013 and then again with the war in 2016, the EU used its available tools to try to bring the warring parties to stop the violence. It focused on supporting the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mediation and its monitoring mechanisms, but also reinforcing the population’s resilience and food security.

The EU has been heavily involved in the peace process with EU Special Representative Alexander Rondos playing a key role. The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (RARCSS) is available here (link is external).

The EU has a formal role in several new structures, put in place by the peace process, especially the Revitalised Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM).

Politically, the EU works together with regional and international partners to promote a substantial and swift implementation of the RARCSS. The EU, working in close co-operation with South Sudan's neighbours and international partners, stands ready to support the efforts of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity, as it works to implement the R-ARCSS, on the basis of the mandate provided by the last Council Conclusions.

#TeamEurope & gov't officials receiving the EU Humanitarian Airbag cargo at Juba International Aiport in July 2020.

In 2020, the European Union provided €44.05 million in support of humanitarian action in South Sudan. To respond to ongoing flooding across the country, the EU allocated in September €1.4 million to respond to immediate water and sanitation needs of the affected population, as well as to provide displaced families with basic essential items.

With emergency levels of food insecurity and malnutrition across the country, the EU provides food assistance and nutrition interventions, including in hard-to-reach areas. EU humanitarian funds support the acquisition and distribution of nutrition products, including ready-to-use therapeutic foods for the treatment of malnourished children and mothers.

EU-funded projects also provide protection support to displaced people and people who are carrying the scars of war trauma and violence, including children. Specific actions are focused on reintegrating children who were previously recruited as child soldiers. The protection of children and women is a priority for the EU, given the extreme levels of violence and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.

Confronted by the coronavirus pandemic, the EU humanitarian partners in South Sudan are adopting measures within their actions and adapting to the new challenges, to keep beneficiaries and staff safe, while continuing to provide life-saving assistance to support vulnerable communities. Out of the EU’s 2020 humanitarian funding in South Sudan, more than €6 million are helping humanitarian organisations scale up vulnerable people’s access to health, water, sanitation and hygiene, while providing essential protective equipment for health workers. These actions are implemented in line with the South Sudan COVID-19 Country Response Plan.