Norbert Braakhuis, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Nigel Cross, Country Director SNV Sudan 

On 6 May 2010, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Sudan country programme of SNV Netherlands Development Organisation signed a cooperation agreement in Juba, in which they commit themselves to jointly promote economic development for peace and stability and access to basic services.

The Embassy aims to promote peace and security as a basis for sustainable development, especially in the Three Areas and in Southern Sudan. SNV argues that increased economic activity and trade between previously antagonistic groups creates mutual benefits and helps to promote peaceful co-existence. It has therefore been agreed with the embassy that besides its work in Eastern Equatoria, SNV will support economic development in Abyei Area and the border area of Southern Kordofan and in Jonglei.

The work in Abyei Area and across the border area aims to foster cooperation between Dinka and Misseriya communities, in close liaison with NGOs, the Abyei and South Kordofan departments of Agriculture and the FAO Sudan Productive Capacity Recovery Programme. SNVs new activities in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria will be in collaboration with IFAD’s Southern Sudan Livelihoods Development Project, the State Ministry of Agriculture, and local NGOs.

Experiences from SNV’s work over five years in Eastern Equatoria have shown that through working to strengthen and improve markets for livestock and gum, household incomes can substantially increase, more people are attracted to trading not raiding, and better animal health and marketing services can be provided. One member of the livestock cooperative supported by SNV noted that by selling animals he could now afford to educate his daughters. The trade in cattle from Kapoeta County to Juba markets has increased fivefold. And just one example of the benefits of gum collection, was that of a small boy who was able to buy shoes for the first time. SNV also has experience of cross-border trade benefits, as chair of the Karamoja Cluster of NGOs working to dampen conflict in the border areas of Sudan, Kenya and Uganda.

Norbert Braakhuis, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, says that he hopes that as Sudan is now entering the last phase of the CPA and we are all looking for ways to ensure a peaceful transition to the post 2011 period, this initiative will demonstrate the links between development, stability, better livelihoods for all, and peace.