The Netherlands has announced it will close its embassy in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, as part of a wider restructuring of its diplomatic missions due to budget constraints.
The move is part of plans to shut five embassies and two consulates worldwide, saving €25m (£21m) as the Dutch government seeks to reduce its foreign ministry budget by 10%.
In a letter to parliament on 17 April, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said the closures were necessary to adapt to “far-reaching changes” in global politics, including shifting power dynamics and rising operational costs.
Alongside Juba, embassies in Burundi, Libya, and Myanmar will close, as will consulates in Antwerp, Belgium, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Dutch foreign ministry said responsibilities for affected countries would be transferred to other embassies to maintain diplomatic and consular services.
The decision has raised concerns among South Sudanese analysts, who warn it could signal declining international engagement with the country.
Dr. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, an international politics expert at the University of Juba, told Radio Tamazuj that the closure should be seen as a “wake-up call” for South Sudan’s government.
“This suggests something is not working well diplomatically,” he said. “If one country leaves, others may follow.”
He urged authorities to investigate the reasons behind the move and strengthen ties with remaining partners.
The Dutch government cited high security risks and operational costs as key factors in closing missions in Juba and Libya’s capital, Tripoli.
South Sudan has faced instability since gaining independence in 2011, with a fragile peace agreement under strain and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
If the closure goes ahead, the Netherlands will become the third country to withdraw its embassy, after Norway and Germany temporarily shut theirs in March, citing security concerns.
The US has also reportedly considered scaling back its diplomatic presence in South Sudan under proposed cuts by the Trump administration.
The Netherlands recognized South Sudan’s independence in 2011 and has supported peacebuilding and development efforts for decades.