Meinhardt: South Sudan has a great future
The delegation arrived in Juba from Khartoum where they also held similar meetings. To learn more about Germany’s position on the Sudan-South Sudan conflict as well as areas of future cooperation between Juba and Berlin, Charlton Doki interviewed Patrick Meinhardt, the head of the delegation, on June 3 during a brunch attended by the delegation and representatives of German organisations operating in South Sudan.
Q: Why have you visited South Sudan at this particular moment?
Patrick Meinhardt and Peter Felten, the German ambassador in the Republic of South Sudan in Juba June 3, 2012.
© The Niles | Dominik LehnertA: South Sudan is in a very important situation. Germany wants to do everything to strengthen the country in its state building — to build up a known administration, to build up an identity, and to strengthen that identity. We were one of the first nations who said it is good that South Sudan has its independence. We had the good fortune that our minister of foreign affairs was the one who led the session at the United Nations in which South Sudan became a member. There is a special relationship between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of South Sudan.
Q: Do you have any concerns about the relationship between South Sudan and Sudan?
A: Yes, we have. Before we came here to South Sudan, we were in Sudan for three days. In both countries, [we held] very open discussions with representatives. The meeting in Addis Ababa is central for us because in the next two months there must be very concrete resolutions, very concerted efforts from this meeting. And we expect that there will be real results about the conflict situation and about the future of the region between South Sudan and Sudan.
Q: I believe this is your first visit to South Sudan. What is your impression of the country?
A: It is a country with a great future. We were outside Juba yesterday. In Torit, we saw the work of the Catholic Church in education and in health and I saw how they have a deep network. We have also seen other regions of the country. I see that there are many possibilities in the agricultural area. I see that there are very many possibilities in community building. I would say there is a great future for the country. I personally want to do the things I can to get it further on.
Q: Talking about the future, what areas of cooperation do you foresee between Germany and South Sudan?
The German delegation, the ambassador and his team as well as representatives of German organisations working in South Sudan during a brunch in Juba June 3, 2012. © The Niles | Dominik LehnertA: State building is one of the main points in our development cooperation. We want to help in the area of building up federal regions and the real structures for string cities. The second point will be the agricultural sector. Our ministry for development cooperation has multiplied the amount [of grants to South Sudan] for the agricultural sector from two million to six million Euros. And this must be a very central part of our interests. The third point: we are responsible for urban water management within the European Union strategic plan.
Q: Right now South Sudan is facing an economic crisis. Is there any way the German government might be able to help South Sudan out of this?
A: We see that something must be done. There is an international agreement that will help, but we must be clear about the areas in which it is necessary. And in the 2015 EU Strategic Plan there are many fields in which financial development and financial help is possible.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
A: I would perhaps add that I am personally very glad about the position our embassy has in South Sudan and to see our ambassador and his team networking here. This is very important for us. The first South Sudanese ambassador will come to Germany in about four weeks. We have met her and have arranged meetings for her with members of the German parliament. The good relationship between South Sudan and Germany depends on the way our embassy here is working.
