EU Envoy Urges South Sudan to Open Civic Space, Boost Governance

South Sudan must turn its commitments on women’s leadership and inclusive governance into concrete results, outgoing European Union Deputy Head of Delegation Lothar Jaschke said on Tuesday, stressing that meaningful political participation requires protected civic space. Jaschke made the remarks at the 2026 Annual Gender Forum in Juba, held under the theme “From Commitments to Results: Advancing Women’s Leadership, Accountability and Inclusive Governance in South Sudan.” The forum in Juba brought together stakeholders to discuss women’s participation in political and peace processes, accountability and inclusive governance. “The title of the forum – from commitments to results – is very fitting and very ambitious. At the end it is the result that counts,” Jaschke said. Jaschke, who leaves South Sudan after three years, said inclusive governance requires civic space in which women-led and grassroots organisations could operate, receive funding and participate meaningfully in policy dialogue and peacebuilding. “Inclusive governance requires civic space,” he said, calling for the representation of rural women, young women, displaced women and women with disabilities. His comments come as South Sudan prepares for elections scheduled for December, with the implementation of its 2018 peace agreement still incomplete. Jaschke also backed calls for greater representation of women in elected institutions, saying at least 35% of successful candidates should be women, in line with the womens representation quota in the peace agreement. “I hope women will be candidates and will win big times in the elections. For the sake of the country,” he said. He said women’s participation should extend beyond elections to constitutional, electoral, peace and governance processes. Jaschke also called for stronger accountability for gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence, including survivor-centred justice, transitional justice and guarantees of non-repetition. He urged progress on a modern Anti-Gender-Based Violence Bill and implementation of the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan, including greater resources and accountability for women-led peacebuilding initiatives. The outgoing EU official also condemned deadly attacks on U.N. peacekeepers in Jonglei on Monday and said 36 humanitarian workers had been killed in South Sudan in 2026. “These are people who serve the country and the people of South Sudan by promoting peace, stability, development and humanitarian assistance,” he said. Jaschke said the forum marked his final public address in South Sudan before his departure, describing his three years in the country as an honour. “I depart from South Sudan, but South Sudan does not depart from me,” he said, adding that the European Union would continue to support the country.