South Sudan Validated and make for endorcemnet of its National Strategy to Eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) by 2030

Juba, South Sudan 9–10 October 2025 South Sudan has taken a decisive step toward eradicating Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) with the validation of its National PPR Strategy and Five-Year Operational Plan (NSP) during a two-day workshop held in Juba, South Sudan.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MLF) in collaboration with the African Union – Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and IGAD. It brought together key national, regional, and international stakeholders united in their commitment to eliminate PPR and strengthen animal health systems at national, regional and across Africa.

PPR, a highly contagious viral disease affecting small ruminants, remains a major threat to rural livelihoods, food security, and economic stability across Africa. In South Sudan, where millions depend on sheep and goat for income and nutrition, eradicating the disease is not only a technical necessity but a socio-economic imperative.

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The validated National Strategy and Five-Year operational Plan provides a robust framework for guiding national efforts toward PPR eradication. It outlines strategic interventions on vaccination, surveillance, laboratory strengthening, and cross-border coordination ensuring full alignment with the Global PPR Eradication Programme (GEP-PPR), the Pan-African PPR strategy.

At workshop, AU-IBAR’s Central Role: Coordination, Technical and Financial Support
As the lead continental institution for livestock development, AU-IBAR played a pivotal role throughout the process providing coordination, technical guidance, and financial support that enabled South Sudan to align its national roadmap with regional and continental frameworks.

AU-IBAR’s experts guided the workshop discussions, ensuring the NSP reflected scientific rigor, feasibility, and policy coherence with the African Union’s animal health agenda under Agenda 2063. The Bureau also facilitated inclusive participation, fostering ownership and consensus among national authorities, regional organizations, and partners including FAO.

“This process reflects South Sudan’s growing commitment to strengthening veterinary governance and contributing to the continental goal of eradicating PPR by 2030,” said Dr. Wubishet Zewdie, IGAD coordinator representing AU-IBAR at the workshop.

The workshop culminated in the official validation and endorsement of the National PPR Strategy by Dr. Makuei Malual Kaang, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, on behalf of the Government of South Sudan.’’The validation and endorsement marked a milestone of national ownership and political commitment to the strategy’s implementation’’.

Participants including representatives from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), state-level officers, and development partners jointly reviewed and finalized and validated the NSP, ensuring that the document responds to national realities and priorities while remaining coherent with continental strategies.

The validation workshop underscored the importance of regional cooperation in eradicating trans-boundary animal diseases prioritizing PPR. By aligning its national strategy with the IGAD and AU frameworks, South Sudan reaffirmed its role as an active contributor to Africa’s shared goal of achieving a PPR-free continent by 2030.
Stakeholders pledged continued collaboration in resource mobilization, monitoring, and implementation of the NSP, emphasizing the need for sustained partnerships, accountability, and capacity development.

The following key actions were agreed upon to operationalize the validated NSP:
•    Submission and endorsement of the final strategy by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
•    Printing and dissemination of the finalized document with support from partners (FAO, VSF Germany, Canada, Suisse).
•    Implementation and monitoring, guided by a coordinated framework for evaluation, accountability, and cross-border collaboration.

The successful validation of South Sudan’s National PPR Strategy represents a tangible step forward in the collective journey to eradicate PPR from Africa. It reflects the country’s commitment to the principles of regional integration, shared responsibility, and scientific excellence championed by the African Union and its partners.
Through AU-IBAR’s leadership and South Sudan’s commitment, this milestone reinforces Africa’s determination to transform its livestock sector into a driver of food security, resilience, and sustainable development under Agenda 2063.