The European Union is one of the leading international partners in South Sudan. The European Union has proven to be a reliable and consistent supporter of a free, independent and prosperous South Sudan, committed to universal values of peace, democracy and Human Rights.

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.

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, based on the mandate provided by the last Council Conclusions.

Following the referendum in January 2011, and the independence of the country in July of the same year, the EU substantially increased its development assistance and quickly established a fully-fledged Delegation to South Sudan in 2012.

The EU took the lead on the implementation of the EU Single Development Strategy, elaborated in consultation with the government of South Sudan and in coordination with international partners aiming at contributing to institution building at the national state and local levels while improving effectiveness in providing basic services to the population. In 2013, the EU fully supported the elaboration of the New Deal Compact, but the ensuing civil wars made it impossible for the EU to continue on this path of direct cooperation with the Government of South Sudan. The EU has invested for the population of South Sudan over 1 billion Euro since the independence of the country. Being outside the Cotonou framework, South Sudan has benefited from ad hoc allocations under the EU Horn of Africa Trust Fund, and thematic budget lines like the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace and the Food Security Thematic Programme (FSTP). 

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.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the European Union and its Member States in a Team Europe approach mobilised a total of €49.1 million for South Sudan. This funding helps to strengthen the health system, support the economy and reinforce social support systems in the country.

Team Europe in July 2020 successfully operated two Humanitarian Air Bridge flights to Juba South Sudan, with supplies for COVID-19 and other humanitarian needs in the country. The cargo on these flights amounts to over 80 tonnes. 

The EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flights to Juba were jointly operated by the EU, Italy and France and in coordination with the South Sudanese authorities. EU entirely funded flights whereas the cargo belonged to the aid organisations such as UNICEF, WFP, IMC, MSF, Medair and Doctors with Africa CUAM using the flight, coordinated by the Réseau Logistique Humanitaire – a European humanitarian organisations' network.