FVP Riek Machar and Amb. Deike Potzel. Feb. 5, 2025. (Photo: Germany Embassy).

The high-level delegation from Germany led by Amb. Deike Potzel has commended South Sudan’s open door policy towards refugees and pledged support to the humanitarian response, in meetings with South Sudan leaders and stakeholders.

Amb. Potzel, Director General for Crisis Prevention, Stabilization, Peacebuilding, and Humanitarian Assistance at the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) visited South Sudan this week and held meetings with First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng among other officials, humanitarian actors and civil society.

The diplomat said despite other pressing global crises, Berlin has maintained its support to South Sudan’s fight against hunger, conflict and disasters like floods and droughts, as well as assistance to people fleeing Sudan.

“Germany supports the people of South Sudan as the second largest bilateral donor to counter the huge humanitarian challenges. We have provided more than 60 million Euros last year in humanitarian assistance and will remain engaged this year,” she said, according to a press statement.

“Director General Potzel commended South Sudan’s hospitality for refugees from Sudan despite of own hardships,” the statement added.

In her engagements with the vice presidents, the German diplomat stressed the urgency to fully and swiftly implement the 2018 peace agreement through constructive dialogue amongst all partners.

Director General Potzel further underlined that her country’s assistance can only complement the sovereign responsibility of the transitional government of South Sudan and not replace it.

“The Transitional Government remains in the driving seat especially when it comes to using the country’s resources for humanitarian aid and for the development of the country. Improving transparency on the revenues of natural resources is crucial.”

The Director General was accompanied by Ms. Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation for parts of the visit.

They travelled to Bentiu, Malakal, and Renk, where humanitarian crises — exacerbated by the war in Sudan and the climate crisis — continue to unfold, and visited life-saving projects funded by Germany.