Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to South Sudan
In Simple Terms
The President is keeping in place for one more year a U.S. emergency order tied to the violence and unrest in South Sudan. This keeps the government’s special powers to respond to that threat.
Summary
President Donald Trump issued this notice to continue for one more year the national emergency related to South Sudan that was originally declared in 2014 under Executive Order 13664. The action keeps in place the emergency authorities tied to that declaration under the National Emergencies Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. It was issued because the situation in and around South Sudan is still described as an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy, including violence, human rights abuses, the use of child soldiers, attacks on peacekeepers, and obstruction of humanitarian aid. The notice also directs that the continuation be published in the Federal Register and sent to Congress.
Official Record
Federal Register PublishedSigned by the President
March 24, 2026
March 27, 2026
Document #2026-06077
Analysis & Impact
💡 How This May Affect You
- Working families and individuals may see little direct change; it mainly continues sanctions tied to South Sudan.
- Small business owners face limited effects unless dealing in international trade, banking, or compliance screening.
- Students and recent graduates are mostly unaffected, except in fields like foreign policy, aid, or compliance.
- Retirees and seniors are unlikely to notice changes in benefits, healthcare, or everyday costs from this action.
- Urban, suburban, and rural areas should see similar minimal effects, with more impact near global trade hubs.
🏢 Key Stakeholders
- U.S. national security and foreign policy agencies benefit from preserved sanctions leverage.
- Sanctioned South Sudanese officials, militias, and enablers face continued asset restrictions.
- Banks, compliance officers, and international businesses face ongoing South Sudan sanctions screening burdens.
- Treasury OFAC, State Department, and Congress are chiefly responsible for implementation and oversight.
- Human rights, humanitarian, and anti-atrocity advocacy groups support continued pressure on perpetrators.
📈 What to Expect
- Existing U.S. sanctions and asset freezes on designated South Sudan-linked actors remain unchanged.
- Treasury and State maintain enforcement, licensing, and periodic designation review activities.
Aid groups continue compliance screening, with limited direct operational disruption from renewal.
Annual emergency renewals likely persist absent major governance and security improvements.
Sanctions continue constraining designated actors’ international financial access and transaction flexibility.
Notice signals sustained U.S. diplomatic pressure on atrocities, peacekeeper attacks, and aid obstruction.
📚 Historical Context
- Continues Obama’s 2014 EO 13664 sanctions emergency targeting South Sudanese violence and instability.
- Like yearly renewals by Trump and Biden, it builds on existing IEEPA sanctions authority.
- Follows a common post-1976 pattern: presidents routinely extend emergencies long after initial declaration.
- Historically notable: emergency persists twelve years, reflecting chronic South Sudan conflict and limited policy resolution.
- Unlike a new order, this notice preserves status quo rather than expanding or reversing sanctions.
News Coverage
Court allows Trump administration to move forward in sending group of immigrants to South Sudan - scotusblog.com
Court allows Trump administration to move forward in sending group of immigrants to South Sudan scotusblog.com
Supreme Court allows Trump to remove migrants to South Sudan and other turmoil-filled countries - CNN
Supreme Court allows Trump to remove migrants to South Sudan and other turmoil-filled countries CNN
US orders non-emergency staff to leave South Sudan as tensions rise - BBC
US orders non-emergency staff to leave South Sudan as tensions rise BBC
National Emergencies Act: Which presidents have declared a national emergency and which are still in effect? - CBS News
National Emergencies Act: Which presidents have declared a national emergency and which are still in effect? CBS News
Here are the 28 active national emergencies. Trump won’t be adding the opioid crisis to the list - CNN
Here are the 28 active national emergencies. Trump won’t be adding the opioid crisis to the list CNN
Sudan Declares State of Emergency as Clashes Continue (Published 2012) - The New York Times
Sudan Declares State of Emergency as Clashes Continue (Published 2012) The New York Times