(Juba) – A senior delegation from the African Union (AU) has concluded a high level humanitarian assessment mission in South Sudan, following a five day visit to review the country’s response to a growing refugee crisis. The mission led by Ambassador Churchill Ewumbue-Monono comes at a time when South Sudan is hosting over 650,000 refugees, mostly fleeing the civil war in neighbouring Sudan.
During the visit, the AU team evaluated living conditions for refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and examined the implementation of AU migration and displacement protocols. The delegation also assessed AU-supported education initiatives, including school construction efforts.
“This is not just about reviewing documents,” said Ewumbue-Monono during a press briefing in Juba. “We are shifting from policy to action. That’s why we have donated $500,000 [approximately 655 million South Sudanese Pounds] to build classrooms in Gorom and provided food and essential non-food items to refugee communities.”
The flow of refugees into South Sudan intensified after war erupted in Sudan in April 2023. The arrivals have continued steadily, with the Commission for Refugee Affairs (CRA) noting that many are also coming from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Burundi, Eritrea, and Ethiopia.
According to John Dabi, Deputy Commissioner of the CRA, South Sudan’s relatively open refugee laws have made it a destination of choice. “There is peace here, and that’s why people are coming,” he said.
“Our Refugee Act is one of the most progressive in the region, allowing for both urban and rural settlement, and ensuring dignity, freedom of movement, and integration.”
However, Dabi cautioned that the growing refugee numbers are placing severe pressure on South Sudan’s limited resources. The World Food Programme (WFP) has cut food assistance by more than 50 percent, and only the most vulnerable groups—women, children, and persons with disabilities—are currently receiving support. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has also closed several field offices across the country due to budget constraints.
“How do you host people if you can’t help them?” Dabi asked. “Farming and local integration are promising long- term solutions, but we urgently need more investment to scale them up.”
As part of its field visit, the AU delegation toured urban refugee settlements and schools in the Gorom area. The team reviewed gaps in access to education and distributed school materials as part of its broader engagement with refugee communities.
Ewumbue-Monono noted that South Sudan has made notable progress in implementing regional agreements such as the Kampala Convention on IDPs and the AU Free Movement Protocol. “South Sudan has the right legal framework,” he said. “The challenge is not about policy but about having the resources to apply them effectively.”
Humanitarian organisations working in South Sudan echoed the AU’s concerns. Fred Bully Cole, Executive Director of the Humanitarian and Development Consortium (HDC), said the combined number of refugees and returnees in the country now stands at nearly one million—a figure that is putting enormous strain on national systems.
“South Sudan is already facing its own humanitarian challenges, and now it is also sheltering hundreds of thousands from neighbouring countries,” Cole said. “This mission by the AU is crucial. It sends a signal that coordinated action and urgent donor support are needed.”
Cole also highlighted ongoing difficulties with documentation and informal border crossings. Many new arrivals are entering the country through unregulated points and lack proper papers, which limits their access to basic services. He called for improved systems at entry points and more support for local communities hosting displaced populations.
The AU’s visit to South Sudan is part of a broader effort to promote African-led solutions to regional crises.
“This is an African problem requiring African solutions,” said Ewumbue-Monono. “When the AU is present, it encourages others to step up as well.”
Findings from the mission will be presented to the AU Peace and Security Council for further deliberation and possible action.
