Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2012
(4) Sudan and South Sudan
After the Second Sudanese Civil War lasted over 20 years, in July 2011, South Sudan gained independence by seceding from Sudan. The African Union (AU) mediated negotiations on many issues between Sudan and South Sudan prior to South Sudan's independence. In September 2012, the governments of both countries agreed on issues such as oil and security measures in border areas, but both of them still lay claim to the Abyei region and have not reached to an agreement on who owns it and on problems in the disputed area. As of October 2012, Sudan and South Sudan are striving to coexist peacefully, but discussions are still continuing.
<Japan's Efforts>
Peacebuilding is one of important agendas of Japan's diplomacy towards Africa. In particular, stability in Sudan and South Sudan is directly related to stability in the entire Africa, so building peace in those two countries is a particularly important point on the agenda in Africa. With this understanding, Japan has disbursed over $730 million to Sudan and South Sudan since 2005. Japan continues to support for consolidation of peace through disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) for former soldiers and lend assistance in fields dealing with basic human needs (BHN) so that the people of the two nations actually feel that peace has been established and do not revert to civil war. Specifically, Japan provides support focused on meeting BHN and maintaining a food production base mainly in the war-torn regions of Sudan. To South Sudan, in addition to the aforementioned support, Japan’s assistance focuses on development of infrastructure and governance.
In addition, Japan has dispatched engineering units from the Japan Self-Defense Force to work on the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) and is promoting projects that have a connection to the engineering unit's activities so that Japan can put forth an integrated effort for stability and nation-building in South Sudan.
●South Sudan
Project for Construction and Rehabilitation of Bridges on Main Roads in Juba City
Grant Aid (November 2009 - February 2012)
South Sudan gained independence by seceding from Sudan in July 2011 and is the newest country in the world. Divided policy from the period of colonial rule and control of the south by the northern government prior to the secession produced huge social and economic gaps between the northern and southern regions of Sudan. And, though the Second Sudanese Civil War came to an end in January 2005, it had lasted over 20 years by that point, pulling the economy downward and having a major negative effect on civilians' basic living conditions.
After South Sudan gained independence, its capital city, Juba, has been developing rapidly. The population has exploded, magnifying the urgent need to rehabilitate urban infrastructure that had deteriorated or was destroyed in the civil war. Roadways are in particularly poor shape, and many roads become impassable during the rainy season. Many bridges on main roads in the city have suffered significant damage and deterioration, and any number could become impassable at any time. In light of these circumstances, Japan has provided grant aid to rebuild or newly construct six bridges on primary roads considered particularly critical to the city of Juba. Japan's support has ended the issue of roads closed to traffic, which occurred on an average of 40 days per year, and has helped facilitate smooth movement through the city and revitalized social and economic activity.
Japanese engineers work together with local workers for promoting technology transfer. (Photo: JICS)