«The situation in South Sudan is still fragile»
The head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, visited South Sudan at the beginning of January together with a Swiss delegation. The visit has taken place one year before the launch of the future 2026–29 cooperation programme, which aims to improve the nexus between humanitarian aid, development cooperation, peacebuilding and human rights in the region. In this interview, Ms Danzi responds to five key questions.
You've just visited South Sudan, which continues to be affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan. You also met with several of Switzerland's partners in the north of the country, in particular the ICRC. What were your main takeaways?
In South Sudan, the situation is still really fragile. This isn't just because of the war in Sudan – there have also been devastating floods, new cases of cholera, and a serious economic crisis. In the country's north, our network of humanitarian partners coordinate much-needed assistance for new refugees, people injured in the war as well as the host communities, often in very difficult conditions.
The current 2022–25 South Sudan cooperation programme will come to an end this year. Have there been positive results, before going forward with the next programme (2026–29)?
Since 2006, the SDC has been running a cooperation office in Juba, which became the capital after South Sudan's independence. This ongoing presence in the field means we've been able to adapt our activities in close alignment with the changing circumstances. Our project portfolio, covering food security as well as protection of the civilian population and human rights, is having a tangible impact on the local population. Like other cooperation offices, the Juba office is very dynamic and serves as a platform where new ideas are born. It brings together actors from the government, civil society, the private sector, development sector (such as the AfDB) and humanitarian field. There are, of course, many opportunities to bolster our impact.
Building the resilience of vulnerable populations to shocks in order to reduce their dependence on international aid in the medium and long term is key.
The new cooperation programme is about flexibility and sustainability in terms of Switzerland's engagement, in particular the nexus between humanitarian aid, development cooperation, peacebuilding and human rights. Can you tell us a bit more?
Building the resilience of vulnerable populations to shocks in order to reduce their dependence on international aid in the medium and long term is key. Like all countries experiencing protracted humanitarian crises, in South Sudan the SDC and other actors support initiatives of young people, women and men who are committed to economic, social and community development.
Last year, Switzerland hosted peace talks for Sudan. How is the conflict viewed in South Sudan? And what is the situation like there for the refugees coming from Sudan?
Because of the ongoing war in Sudan, the situation for host populations in northern South Sudan and other neighbouring countries is deteriorating. Millions of refugees have fled the fighting, displacing people from all segments of the population, not just the poorest. A large section of the Sudanese middle class has also been affected, meaning that the war is also having a devastating impact on the economy as well as inflation levels. It's essential that we help resolve this conflict and restore peace. Switzerland has provided a platform and is continuing efforts to bring the parties back to the negotiating table.
South Sudan's first-ever elections have been postponed for two years – how is this affecting international cooperation activities on the ground?
The SDC has extended its support for the preparatory process for the national elections, because good governance is a must for sustainable and inclusive development. Democratic governance means that citizens can fully participate and authorities are accountable before the people, making it possible to settle disputes in a peaceful and transparent manner.
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