EU promises cooperation with Juba ahead of summit

A European Union delegation to South Sudan and France has promised continued cooperation with South Sudan in the realms of health and other spheres of service delivery.

Speaking ahead of the EU-AU summit scheduled to take place on February 17 and 18 in Juba, EU Ambassador Christian Bader and French Ambassador Marc Trouyet, explained that the EU plans to engage South Sudan in solving its economic, security, and health challenges. This is to ensure justice, good governance, COVAX vaccinations, and human development. The duo addressed the media at the EU offices in Juba.

Amb Bader said: “Since we came to this country, the EU and member states have spent one billion Euros in assistance.’’ He further emphasised that “if there is no ownership, then it is very risky because a lot of money will disappear and go into the wrong hands.”

He further revealed that “France was holding the rotating presidency of the EU for six months from January to July of this year, and steps would be taken to monitor future use of funds to ensure they go to where they are committed.’’ 

Under a seven-year multiannual partnership that will be announced on Wednesday, Am. Bader said the EU has committed 408 million euros for the first four years of that partnership.

The upcoming EU-Africa Union (AU) summit is organised under the French EU and Senegalese AU presidencies, and it is said by the delegation that it will be a “complete overhaul”.

French Ambassador Marc Trouyet told the journalists and members of the CSOs that the summit would be a “game-changer” and that they hoped to build between the EU and the AU [relationship] and that is why they call it an alliance.”

The plan that will be presented at the end of this week will be called “Two Countries, One Shared Vision.’’

  He said: “We definitely see that the future of Africa and Europe are linked, intertwined, that what is going to be for Africa is going to be good for Europe and vice versa. We want to build a common future. “