Slow progress in implementing the South Sudan revitalised peace agreement, high levels of corruption, and clampdowns on civic space have almost halted efforts for peace in South Sudan. As the humanitarian situation worsens and the division of South Sudanese society along ethnic and tribal lines grows, the situation remains volatile.
In 2020–2021 we worked with ten South Sudanese partner organisations to support 59 action groups to lead local-level initiatives for mitigating conflict dynamics and strengthening social cohesion. We trained, mentored and supported 1,770 community volunteers to lead projects with traditional leaders, authorities and service providers. These range from tackling food shortages through income-generating farming projects in Aweil, lobbying local government to issue a ban on gun-fire in Jonglei state, to creating job opportunities for young people in Gok-Machar.
These volunteers have worked flexibly – especially given the challenges posed by COVID-19 – becoming vital links supporting humanitarian programmes. For example, young people came together to build a dyke on the banks of the Nile in Twic East county in Jonglei State, where over 130,000 people were displaced due to flooding.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we also championed women’s rights organisations, who are addressing heightened levels of gender-based violence through life-saving psychosocial support and providing small grants for women-led initiatives.
We also hosted state-level roundtable discussions in eight states across South Sudan, identifying participants’ major security concerns. As a result, we published eight briefings covering our findings, and one summary briefing to guide our advocacy efforts. We participated in the UK non-governmental organisations Working Group on South Sudan. Through this forum, we engaged with the UK Special Envoy on South Sudan on safety and security issues and advocated against the UK aid cuts in South Sudan. We also presented at several UK parliamentary briefings and US congressional briefings. In the US, we garnered congressional support for the passing of legal amendments pertaining to South Sudan on anti-corruption and funding. We also coordinated and led advocacy on atrocity early warning identification and prevention and advocated for greater congressional attention to be paid to South Sudan. We have influenced congressional offices, supported the passage of an important amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act committing the US to help crack down on corruption and support the peace process, and drafted standalone legislation that would strengthen the US’ approach to South Sudan in support of peace.
