South Sudan has been a priority country for Switzerland since its independence on 9 July 2011. Switzerland’s Cooperation Strategy for South Sudan 2017 – 2020 focuses on food security and livelihoods, protection of civilians and promotion of human rights, as well as on peace- and nation-building. At the core of the Strategy is Switzerland’s committment to respond in an effective way to the needs and aspirations of the most vulnerable in South Sudan.

Switzerland combines and complements emergency aid with measures to strengthen and capacitate actors, systems and institutions. The underlying principles of Switzerland’s engagement are conflict sensitivity, inclusiveness, transparency and accountability.

Due to the fast-changing environments after the outbreak of the conflict in December 2013, the implementation of the Cooperation Strategy follows a pragmatic and flexible approach.

Whole-of-Government approach

The Humanitarian Aid Division holds the bigger share of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)’s support to South Sudan, with an annual commitment of around CHF 18 million. This amount mainly goes to emergency relief and protection, with an emphasis on sexual and gender-based violence. Implementing partners are among others ICRC, UNHCR, OCHA, UNICEF and WFP, as well as national and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). In addition, experts of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit are seconded to various UN agencies. The South Cooperation of SDC is also providing development assistance to build and strengthen resilience of vulnerable communities in South Sudan.

Switzerland is also committed to pursuing its peacebuilding efforts in South Sudan. The Human Security Division (HSD) of the Swiss Foreign Ministry works on the following key areas: (1) fostering spaces for genuine and inclusive dialogue on peaceful coexistence, social cohesion, governance, truth, justice and accountability; (2) supporting viable and equitable options towards nation-building; (3) ensuring greater conflict sensitivity among donors and implementing partners intervening in South Sudan.

The Embassy of Switzerland in Addis Ababa is following regional and continental developments related to the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan, involving e.g. the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) or the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.

The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) seconds staff officers and specialists in humanitarian mine clearance and logistics to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) and UN agencies.

The involvement of several Departments of the Swiss Government mirrors the holistic nature of Switzerland’s whole-of-government approach in South Sudan.