34 OCTOBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Julius Kaut is a humanitarian practitioner and PhD researcher specializing in food system resilience in protracted crises and the relationship between humanitarian aid and conflict. For the past three years, he has worked with humanitarian organizations and universities in South Sudan, focusing on projects in humanitarian aid, sustainable development, and resilience building. He has co-authored several publications on food systems resilience and has a background in conflict management, disaster risk reduction, and international development. The situation in South Sudan points to the strategic importance of moving from humanitarian aid to long-term development and resilience-building. BY JULIUS KAUT South Sudan at 13 Reflections on Crisis, Aid, and the Road to Recovery In July 2024, South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, marked its 13th year of independence. Though observed, this year’s Independence Day was celebrated quietly for the most part, with few funds available for official festivities. The initial euphoria of 2011 has largely dissipated, and in 2024 the nation is grappling with numerous challenges, including a serious economic crisis characterized by hyperinflation and skyrocketing food prices. In the meantime, the civil war that broke out in 2013 between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, the leaders of the two largest ethnic groups, concluded in August 2018 with a cease-fire and power-sharing agreement, and the two formed a unity government in 2020. But implementation of the 2018 peace agreement has been slow and halting. Though the government extended the transition period, initially scheduled to end in February 2023, to February 2025, critical issues such as security arrangements and electoral preparations have not yet been dealt with. Though not engaged in a civil war anymore, South Sudan remains in crisis and vulnerable, and its dependence on humanitarian aid has blocked off avenues for economic development. As donor fatigue grips governments and major international institutions, it is essential that South Sudan’s leadership and its ON FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TODAY FOCUS
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