South Sudan's political and financial journey has been anything but easy. As Africa's youngest democracy, the country continues to grapple with instability even after gaining independence. It’s no surprise that South Sudan remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring.
While significant challenges persist in its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime, what stands out is the country’s steadfast commitment to address these deficiencies —especially reflected in its embrace of the NPOs–Regulators Connect initiative.
On July 24, 2025, Civic Advisory Hub, in collaboration with the Financial Intelligence Unit of South Sudan, the National NPO Regulator - Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), and the South Sudan NGO Forum, officially launched the South Sudan chapter of NPOs–Regulators Connect: Kede Na Wenesu (Lets Talk).
The NPOs-Regulators Connect (NRC) initiative aims to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation between non-profit organizations (NPOs) and their regulators. Its central goal is to strengthen governance within the NPO sector through constructive engagement and mutual understanding.
The launch event was officiated by Hon. Stephen Kueth Gach, Chairman of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, the national regulator for NPOs. In his keynote address, he praised the initiative as a collaborative platform for raising awareness, sharing intelligence, and taking joint action to prevent the misuse of humanitarian efforts by bad actors in South Sudan.
Dr. Owor, Chairman of the RCC, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting local NGOs as part of the broader localization agenda. He emphasized the importance of building internal capacity for self-reliance and long-term sustainability.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of the Financial Intelligence Unit of South Sudan, Mr. John Daniel Kipa, underscored that addressing the country's AML/CFT deficiencies is a shared responsibility. “The FIU cannot fight alone,” he said. “Being grey-listed affects the entire nation.” He also commended Civic Advisory Hub for the 2-day pre-launch training themed; Protecting Your Charities Against ML/TF: It Begins With You, noting that NPOs are now more aware of their vulnerabilities to terrorism financing risks and better informed about internal controls to protect themselves.
The collective support and willingness to collaborate—demonstrated across government agencies, regulatory bodies, and the non-profit sector—show that South Sudan is taking ownership of its AML/CFT narrative. It is a clear sign that the country is committed to strengthening its financial system and building a more transparent, resilient future.
