Diplomatic relations between Germany and South Sudan were established on 9 July 2011, the day on which South Sudan became an independent state.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited South Sudan on 26 January 2024, as part of her trip to East Africa. In talks with President Kiir and Vice-President Machar, she called for the 2018 peace agreement to be implemented in consensus and for more transparency around income in the oil sector.

Some 73% of the population (9 million people), including many internally displaced persons, are dependent on humanitarian assistance. The German Government is providing humanitarian assistance in South Sudan and is one of the biggest donors there. The focus is on the care of refugees (primarily from the Sudan) and internally displaced persons, especially in the fields of food security, basic healthcare and hygiene measures. The German Government’s support for stabilisation concentrates on improving rule-of-law structures and strengthening civil society, as well as on promoting the participation of women and preventing sexual and gender-based violence. In addition, Germany contributes personnel and funds to the UNMISS peacekeeping mission.

Development cooperation, which is currently not implemented directly with the South Sudanese Government, focuses on projects aimed at improving conditions for groups who are particularly in need, above all women and children, internally displaced persons, refugees and host communities. German transitional development assistance has the aim of improving food security and governance. At the same time, structures that support the long-term development of the country are being created, above all in the fields of rural development, water supply and sanitation. Local administrative structures are also being strengthened.

In the sphere of culture and education, the German Embassy in Juba supports a small but active scene involving filmmakers (e.g. the Juba Film Festival), musicians and dance groups. The Goethe-Institut also promotes cultural projects in South Sudan from its base in Ethiopia.