By Ayele Addis Ambelu (News and Program Producer)
Washington, D.C., July 22, 2024 – The U.S. Department of State held a digital press briefing to address the ongoing refugee crisis in South Sudan, focusing on the deteriorating humanitarian situation exacerbated by the conflict in Sudan and ineffective governance. The briefing featured remarks from Elizabeth H. Campbell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Josh Black, Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs at the White House National Security Council. Their insights were based on a recent visit to South Sudan from July 15 to 19.
In a recent press briefing, Elizabeth Campbell, U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Josh Black, Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs on the White House National Security Council, provided a detailed overview of their visit to South Sudan from July 15 to 19. The visit aimed to address the country’s severe humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies
Elizabeth Campbell highlighted the severe conditions faced by refugees and conflict-affected communities in South Sudan. Since April 2023, more than 740,000 people have crossed from Sudan into South Sudan seeking refuge. The U.S. has contributed over $100 million to assist these refugees during this period, contrasting sharply with the transitional government’s contribution of less than $4 million. Campbell emphasized, “We urge transitional government officials to create an environment that is more conducive to the safe and effective provision of this assistance.”
Campbell further criticized the South Sudanese transitional government’s lack of progress in using public revenues to address humanitarian needs. She pointed out that recent efforts by the government to impose taxes and duties on international aid organizations hinder the delivery of essential services. “Our taxpayer dollars spent to help the South Sudanese people must not be treated as a transitional government source of revenue,” she asserted.
Political Instability and the Need for Reform
Josh Black expressed deep concern over the political situation in South Sudan, stating that the country is on a dangerous trajectory toward increased crisis and violence. He called for South Sudanese leaders to demonstrate a commitment to creating conditions necessary for free and fair elections, as envisioned in the 2018 peace agreement. “South Sudan’s leaders have not demonstrated enough commitment to engaging in high-level, sustained dialogue and making the compromises necessary to meet conditions for elections,” Black noted.
Black echoed Campbell’s concerns, stating, “Ultimately, the needs of the people of South Sudan cannot be met until this country’s leaders find durable, political solutions.” He pointed out that the current political trajectory is alarming, with little progress towards creating conditions for safe, secure, and free elections as envisioned in the 2018 peace agreement. The transitional government must ensure political neutrality of security forces, develop institutions to carry out elections, and create space for political expression. Black also criticized a proposed national security service law allowing arrests without warrants, which could constrain political space and violate human rights.
He also condemned the proposed national security service law, which would allow arrests without warrants, arguing that it would constrain political space and violate human rights. Black warned, “The world just can’t afford another major crisis right now. Responsibility now rests, as it always has, with the leaders of South Sudan.”
Impact of Climate Change and Floods
Responding to a question about the anticipated severe flooding in South Sudan, Campbell acknowledged the likely impact on humanitarian operations. She noted that climate change aggravates the crisis but emphasized that governance issues remain the most significant drivers of the humanitarian situation. “It’s going to result in extraordinary flooding likely, and this, of course, will hugely impact humanitarian operations,” she explained.
Both officials acknowledged the impending severe flooding of the White Nile River, which is expected to worsen the humanitarian situation. “The humanitarian operations in South Sudan are already extremely challenging and very expensive,” Campbell noted, adding that the flooding will make access to affected areas even more difficult. While climate change is a factor, Campbell stressed that governance issues are the most significant drivers of the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.
Tensions and Xenophobia
The briefing also addressed rising tensions between refugee-hosting communities in South Sudan, fueled by Sudan’s recent evacuation and deportation order. Campbell stressed the importance of maintaining the civilian nature of refugee camps and mitigating tensions through cooperation with local officials and community leaders. She said, “U.S. Government humanitarian assistance supports both refugees and host communities as a way to address and mitigate any potential tension.”
Addressing concerns about militias recruiting refugees, Black mentioned, “We have heard but cannot confirm specific allegations of refugee recruitment.” Protection of refugees and vulnerable individuals remains a core focus of humanitarian efforts. The officials also discussed the xenophobic attacks against South Sudanese in the wake of Sudan’s evacuation and deportation order. Campbell highlighted the need to maintain the civilian nature of refugee camps and ensure that humanitarian assistance supports both refugees and host communities to mitigate potential tensions.
The U.S. has announced over $57 million to address urgent needs of crisis-affected people in South Sudan, with total U.S. humanitarian assistance to the country amounting to nearly $400 million for Fiscal Year 2024. The total U.S. humanitarian assistance to South Sudan since independence exceeds $7.3 billion. Despite this support, both Campbell and Black emphasized the need for South Sudanese leaders to demonstrate a commitment to peace, human rights, and democratic governance. “The world just can’t afford another major crisis right now,” Black warned, urging South Sudanese leaders to put their country on the right path and prioritize the needs of their people.
Both Campbell and Black underscored the urgency of political and humanitarian reforms in South Sudan. They reiterated the U.S. commitment to supporting the South Sudanese people but emphasized that lasting solutions require the active and responsible participation of South Sudan’s leaders.
The briefing concluded with a strong message to the South Sudanese government: align with the values of peace, human rights, and democratic governance to ensure a stable and prosperous future for the country and its people.
The briefing underscored the urgency of addressing the multifaceted crisis in South Sudan, where humanitarian needs are intertwined with political, economic, and security challenges. The U.S. remains a committed partner to the people of South Sudan, but the responsibility for sustainable peace and development ultimately rests with South Sudanese leaders. As Campbell concluded, “It is time for South Sudan’s leaders to stop thinking of our bilateral relationship primarily in terms of the assistance we provide, but rather in terms of how they can be better partners with donors who are providing so much assistance to their people.”
