UN envoy urges South Sudanese to take lead in shaping own destiny

JUBA, OCTOBER 24, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, on Tuesday called on the country’s citizens to take the lead in shaping their own collective destiny for common purpose towards a prosperous future.

Haysom who is also the head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) made this call on Tuesday during the commemoration of 78^th United Nations (UN) anniversary in Juba where he also urged the country’s leaders to show political will in bringing peace to the country.

“I believe the same understanding applies to the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and that’s why it is important for South Sudanese to take the lead in shaping their own collective destiny, by demonstrating political will and common purpose towards a prosperous future for all South Sudanese,” he said.

The UN diplomat said the world body has been closely involved with establishing essential institutions that can enable sustainable development to take root based on foundation of human rights, the rule of law, justice, and accountability.

“We believe the challenges ahead can bring out the best in South Sudanese if a sense of common destiny and shared future compels the imperative to work together. These are the true values of the UN Charter,” he said.

He said the United Nations family was proud to stand with South Sudan in its moment of independence, and it is still proud to stand with its people today.

“Let me recall that, since independence, the UNMISS mandate has evolved. We came at a moment of state building and then proceeded into a period of restoring peace, building confidence, initiating development, and protecting civilians,” he stated.

The country’s UN Chief disclosed that competing global priorities are making it difficult to prioritize international assistance for South Sudan.

“We can now see a new horizon, as the country stands on the precipice of its first post-independence elections and seeks to consolidate the commitments of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement,” Haysom stated.

“But significant challenges remain, South Sudan faces a humanitarian and economic emergency of an unprecedented nature, against the backdrop of an unsettled regional neighborhood beset by conflict and political and ethnic fault lines at home,” he added.