Joanne Minns, Canada’s Ambassador to South Sudan has said South Sudan faces an assemblage of multifaceted challenges, including subnational conflict, political instability, and a deteriorating economy occasioned by soaring inflation. She contends that corruption and mismanagement of public resources have to be squarely addressed and decisively tackled for nation building to be realized in the country.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj which touched on wide-ranging issues, the envoy says Canada’s investments in South Sudan are for the long-term, and that peacebuilding and economic and social development require sustained efforts. However, she qualifies that peace, stability, and development require political will.
Below are edited excerpts:
Q: What is your impression of South Sudan thus far?
A: I have felt extremely welcome since arriving in South Sudan and it has been a really busy but fulfilling six months. Since I got there, I have met South Sudanese people from all walks of life; including from the government, civil society, business owners, students, journalists, and artists. I am really inspired by the spirit and determination of the people of South Sudan. I am also continuously impressed by the youth and their aspirations. South Sudan has a young population, and they need and deserve a future that includes education, employment, and opportunity. South Sudan is a country that is full of potential, resilience, and hope. There needs to be significant efforts made so that the youth of today can build a South Sudan of tomorrow.
Q: How do you evaluate the bilateral relations between South Sudan and Canada?
A: We have had a very longstanding relationship between Canada and South Sudan. We share lots of values like unity pluralism and democracy and these values are needed now more than ever. Canada was there when the historic Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005 and we have been there as a steadfast partner to South Sudan since its independence in 2011. Since then, Canada has provided over 1.2 billion dollars [CAD] in international assistance which includes 135 million dollars [CAD] in 2024 alone. That makes Canada South Sudan’s fourth largest bilateral donor and that speaks a lot to our overall relationship. It is not just the dollar value that is significant here, we have been present on the ground working with partners, supporting and enabling an environment for elections and nation-building. We have been committed to advancing key issues like gender equality, girls’ empowerment, sustainable development, civic space, and media freedom.
Q: With all this donor funding for South Sudan, what do you think is hindering the country’s growth?
A: It is clear that South Sudan faces a constellation of complex challenges including ongoing subnational conflict, political instability, worsening economic situation due to lack of oil revenues, and soaring inflation. Frankly, corruption and mismanagement of public resources are also major contributing factors that cannot be ignored if there is going to be state building in South Sudan. All of this is against the backdrop of climate change, a complex geopolitical landscape, and the crisis in neighboring Sudan. Addressing these issues requires an inclusive concerted effort from all levels of government.
Public sector salaries continue to go unpaid, including critical health and education sectors, and yet we know that a well-functioning and resourced public sector is fundamental to development and security and in making progress towards the holding of peaceful elections in South Sudan. Public funds should be for public needs.
Q: As a new envoy, what new programs are you planning to implement?
A: Canada’s focus areas have long been and continue to be on gender equality, health, education, food security, and inclusive governance. We are committed to improving sexual and reproductive health and supporting the rights of women and girls. We have been an important donor in the healthcare sector, contributing to the now completed Health Pooled Fund, which has led to nearly three times the number of people accessing healthcare, and an almost six-fold increase in the number of people delivering babies with skilled attendants. Canada has also helped protect livelihoods and strengthen the resilience of more than one million people by supporting food security and agricultural development. There is also the Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) project to which we have provided 20 million dollars [CAD] to get more girls into school and keep them there. As a result, the education sector has reached near parity between girls and boys overall who are in school.
Q: How long do you see Canada’s support to South Sudan continuing?
A: Canada’s investments in South Sudan are for the long term. We understand that peacebuilding and fostering economic and social development is a gradual process and requires sustained effort. However, peace, stability, and development all require political will, and I cannot underscore enough the importance of political will for nation-building.
Canada has been a partner to South Sudan since 2011 and we are proud to still be here during such a pivotal time in the country’s history especially as we look forward to the country’s first elections, yet only a fraction of the steps needed to hold those elections have been taken despite yet another two-year extension. I am deeply concerned about the ongoing violence and slow progress to implement the peace agreement. During my engagements with the transitional government, I continue to discuss these concerns.
Q: How do you rate the impacts of Canada’s several interventions in South Sudan?
A: Canada’s engagements are wide-ranging and our work is making a positive impact in the lives of South Sudanese. Every year, our Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supports local community-based initiatives, and these projects engage women and youth in the electoral process, address sexual and gender-based violence, promote human rights and the rule of law, train journalists and enhance media freedom, and help economically empower returnees and refugees from Sudan.
There is also the Fortifying Equality and Economic Diversity for Resilience (FEED II) project which has empowered women and girls by enhancing their participation in food security and economic activities. This project is designed to harmful norms that limit women’s participation in agriculture and facilitates discussions on gender-based violence and it has directly reached over 260,000 women, men, and youth.
Canada’s efforts are ongoing and they aim to contribute to building resilience in communities and promoting sustainable development.
Q: What are you doing to help with the implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement and to promote other ongoing peace efforts like the Tumaini Initiative mediated by Kenya?
A: Canada is engaged on peace processes in South Sudan, including peacebuilding by contributing personnel to UNMISS, we are also co-chairing the IGAD Partners Forum at RJMEC, which is the entity that monitors the implementation of the peace agreement. We are also engaging with regional partners on the Tumaini Initiative closely. I am here in Nairobi to do just that, to hear from stakeholders and parties about how the Tumaini Initiative is progressing.
Canada is also the co-chair of the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) Group of Friends in South Sudan and, at our most recent meeting, I am happy to say that we had the biggest turnout to date which shows the commitment from the international community on this issue. Canada continues to call for an end to the recruitment and exploitation of children in armed conflict, advocate for the Vancouver Principles, and we also remain actively engaged in the Women Peace and Security (WPS) space.
Q: What is your reading of South Sudan’s future?
A: I am optimistic about South Sudan’s future and I believe the country can achieve long-term stability and prosperity. The resilience and determination of the South Sudanese people gives me hope that the country will overcome its challenges in time and it will realize its full potential. Again, this will take political will and ultimately, the future of South Sudan is in the hands of South Sudanese.
Q: What is your message to the people and Government of South Sudan?
A: My message is one of solidarity and hope. There is considerable urgent work that needs to be done to fulfill the government’s obligations to the people of South Sudan. We recently marked the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a promise that remains unfulfilled, and it is time for the transitional government to deliver on the promise.
For our part, Canada continues to support South Sudan in its pursuit of peace, stability, and democracy.