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Kenya–South Sudan relations are bilateral relations between South Sudan and Kenya. South Sudan is a strategic partner of Kenya in many areas. Both countries have cultural similarities as many people from South Sudan lived in Kenya before independence.
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Pre Independence
Kenya is said to have played a leading role in South Sudan's independence. The Machakos Protocol signed in Kenya in 2002 saw a ceasefire signed between Sudan and the Southern Sudanese. It was the first of many agreements that led to the creation of Southern Sudan autonomous region which later on led to the independence of South Sudan in 2011. During the independence movement leaders of the freedom movement lived in Kenya. At the peak of the second Sudanese civil war Kenya hosted about 100,000 South Sudanese people. Kenya had also on numerous times been accused of supplying arms to freedom fighters in South Sudan.
Post Independence
Kenya and South Sudan have agreed in areas of cooperation which aims to build up the ability of the South Sudanese to run a government. Notably Kenya Foreign Service has been training South Sudanese officials in diplomatic and other related affairs. Kenya’s support to South Sudan included addressing issues related to peace, insecurity, and post conflict reconstruction among others. The support given to South Sudan by Kenya is even reflected in how the South Sudanese government decided to adopt a flag similar to that of Kenya's.
Trade
Kenyan exports to South Sudan stood at US$57.6 million in 2005 and increased to US$144.5 million in 2008. In 2009, trade declined to US$137.5 million, but later picked up to a record high of US$207.3 million in 2010.
South Sudan re-exports dominate the commodities traded with Kenya. The only product that was produced in South Sudan and exported to Kenya was wood; contributing US$0.0068 million in 2005.
FDI
Many Kenyan firms have established branches in South Sudan. Some of these firms are involved in the financial sector notably Kenya Commercial Bank South Sudan which controls 50 percent of the market share. KCB has 21 branches in South Sudan and is the largest financial services provider in South Sudan. Other Kenyan owned banks operating in South Sudan are Equity Bank and Cooperative Bank.
Infrastructure
The Kenyan and South Sudanese governments have been spending a lot of money building infrastructural links between the countries. The road link between Kitale and Juba is slated for rehabilitation.
In the future both countries are to be connected by rail as part of the LAPSSET programme. Lamu and Juba will be connected by road as part of the programme. The programme will provide South Sudan with a port as the country seeks an alternative route for its oil pipelines. The pipeline will run from Lamu (Kenya) to South Sudanese oilfields. The entire LAPSSET project will ease South Sudan's access to world markets.
Civil war in South Sudan
Kenya through IGAD and other regional intergovernmental authorities has been involved in resolving the civil war that began on December 15, 2013. The Kenyan government has been part of the team that has tried to make both parties sign a ceasefire. Both countries are also part of IGAD, an intergovernmental organisation initially charged with development and environmental regulation. IGAD has since expanded into other areas of regional cooperation. South Sudan joined IGAD in 2011.