Since 1972, GTZ has been working in Sudan on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Because of the nearly 20-year civil war, however, cooperation has been interrupted since 1988.

Not until the North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005 was governmental development cooperation – if only in South Sudan as yet – resumed.

Since 2004, GTZ has again been active in Sudan on behalf of the World Food Programme. The improvement of a road linking Naros and Malakal in the south is a basic prerequisite for further development of the country.

On behalf of BMZ, GTZ from 2006 implemented the first measures for an improved drinking water supply and is preparing for a future engagement to establish a water administration and water system. The peace agreement also offers an opportunity to reconfigure the governmental and social systems in South Sudan. This led in July 2007 to the launch of a GTZ project supporting rehabilitation of governmental structures in South Sudan.

Through the KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW development bank), the BMZ contributes financially to a Multi-Donor Trust Fund for a wide-ranging reconstruction programme.

Cooperation with North Sudan will not be resumed until the following preconditions have been met: 

• full implementation of the North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement 
• clearly visible progress in the democratisation process and in the observance of human rights 
• peaceful resolution of the Darfur crisis.