By Matik Kueth
Germany has called on South Sudan’s transitional government to prioritize peace and security as a foundation for rebuilding the country’s fragile food systems and stimulating innovation, especially in agriculture.
Speaking during the Ignite Food Systems Challenge held in Juba on Tuesday, Bjorn Niere, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, underlined that without peace and civic space, progress in South Sudan will remain a distant dream.
“You can’t expect growth or innovation in a climate of fear. The absence of security is choking this nation’s potential,” Niere warned.
He urged the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) to take decisive action to protect civilians and open up civic space where ideas and businesses can flourish.
According to Niere, freedom and safety are not luxuries; they’re the basic building blocks of national recovery.
“South Sudanese must be able to live without fear to unlock their potential. Innovation thrives only in spaces where people feel safe and empowered,” he said.
Despite the 2018 peace accord, South Sudan remains plagued by localized violence, intercommunal conflict, and political uncertainty.
Rural communities, in particular, face frequent threats from armed groups, cattle raiders, and displacement, all of which hinder agricultural activities and make trade routes dangerous.
Niere linked this instability directly to the country’s dependence on foreign aid and a food system that teeters on collapse every time climate shocks hit.
“How do you expect sustainable farming when farmers are too scared to sow their fields? We talk about climate resilience and food systems, but without law and order, these ideas won’t take root,” he posed.
He noted that initiatives like the Ignite Food Systems Challenge and the Climate Resilience Program are beacons of hope, but only if security and good governance are in place.
“Empowering people through innovation and agriculture is possible. But let’s be honest, none of it will matter if communities are living in survival mode. Peace and freedom must come first,” he stated.
The diplomat further urged R-TGoNU to accelerate efforts toward lasting peace and create an environment where entrepreneurs, farmers, and youth can play an active role in rebuilding the country from the ground up.
“South Sudan has bright minds and fertile lands. What it lacks is the safety net for both to flourish,” he stressed.