Israel has begun negotiations with South Sudan to resettle Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. This effort would go a long way toward realizing a vision first implemented by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hasn’t ruled out encouraging what he terms “voluntary migration” for millions of Gazans. His goal is to get half the country to move. Even so, South Sudan’s government has quickly denied the findings, calling them unfounded.
South Sudan’s continued instability after its civil war has kept it in the headlines. Unfortunately, the country’s deepening economic crisis only heightens the urgency of the moment. The South Sudanese government is afraid of being seen as the final destination for resettled Palestinians. Instead, they are framing their own struggles.
South Sudan’s Response to Discussions
South Sudan’s officials have outright denied allegations that the South Sudanese government is currently negotiating ties with Israel to accept resettled Palestinians. The Deputy Foreign Minister, Edmund Yakani, declared that his country should not become a “dumping ground for people.” He reiterated the need for South Sudan to hold their ground. It should not be used as a chips-type bargaining device to improve our standing with other countries.
“South Sudan should not become a dumping ground for people.” – Edmund Yakani
Yakani expressed fears that bringing in Palestinian refugees would undermine South Sudan’s independence and respect in the world. He was explicit that the country will not accept being used as a political bargaining chip in global negotiations.
The context of these discussions is further complicated by the ongoing tumultuous history of South Sudan. Since civil unrest led the country to independence in 2011, the country has faced difficulty making peace a lasting reality. A peace agreement, very fragile to begin with, was made seven years ago but never implemented. After a recent increase in political tensions, concerns about a potential outbreak of conflict have been reignited.
Israel’s Strategy and Regional Implications
Luckily for them, Prime Minister Netanyahu has proven a vivacious appetite for trialing strategies in line with Trump’s vision for the region. He argues that if we want to defeat the last standing opponents of Israel in a better way, we should let Gaza’s population flee.
“I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there.” – Netanyahu
These proposals are not unprecedented. Israel has tried out similar ideas on a handful of other African countries. As many stakeholders—including Palestinians and human rights organizations—have documented, they have often greeted their arrival with skepticism. Others—including segments of the international community—have simply dismissed it.
Moving people from one conflict-affected country with famine conditions to another raises significant human rights concerns. Yet this new approach only increases the risk on vulnerable populations. Critics contend that through these plans they are threatening to forcibly expel people, which violates international law. This context only serves to intensify that pre-existing volatility.
Economic Context and International Relations
South Sudan’s economy continues to be deeply affected by these crises, with the country depending on international contribution to sustain itself and its almost 11 million inhabitants. Nearly 400,000 lives were lost during decades of intense civil war. The country has been left to deal with pervasive poverty and civil unrest.
Resettling Palestinians in South Sudan would deepen these already pressing problems. U.S. lobbyist for South Sudan Joe Szlavik argued that Israel could pay for temporary camps for Palestinians. That would only be the case if the negotiations show real movement. This deeply misguided proposition has generated uncommon criticism from both left and right. South Sudanese officials don’t have to be reminded of their nation’s desperate need for peace and long-term self-sustainability.
Egypt is staunchly against any Palestinian transfer plan out of Gaza. Even more, the country is spooked by the prospect of large refugee flows spilling over its territory, further adding to the confusing regional calculus surrounding this contentious issue.
