UN reiterates commitment to lasting peace in South Sudan

25 Oct 2012

UN reiterates commitment to lasting peace in South Sudan

24 October 2012 – Pledging to do more to make a difference in South Sudan, the United Nations across the country today participated in commemorating UN Day.

Led by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) Hilde F. Johnson in the national capital Juba, the UN Mission, agencies, funds and programmes across the country marked the occasion with a series of events in the other nine states.

The South Sudan Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, represented the government at the celebration in Juba. The SPLA Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Lt. Gen. Wilson Deng, the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation Prof. Elias Nyamlel Wako and members of the diplomatic corps were also present.

"With so much at stake, the United Nations must keep pace across the spectrum of its activities – peace, development human rights, the rule of law, the empowerment of the world's women and youth," said Ms. Johnson, reading a statement from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

"On this UN Day, let us reaffirm our individual commitment and our collective resolve to live up to the ideals of the United Nations Charter and build a better world for all," she said.

The SRSG noted that the Secretary-General's message was most relevant in the world's newest nation, which was born partly out of UN efforts, especially in supporting the referendum process.

Celebrations in all the states highlighted these activities, as well as the partnerships that are critical to the success of the UN work in supporting peace and development in South Sudan.

UN Deputy SRSG Toby Lanzer, who is also the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, visited Juba One Boys' and Girls' primary schools, accompanied by UNICEF Country Representative Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque.

They were shown some of the renovation and rehabilitation work that has been done at the school with support from UNICEF and UNMISS.

In Upper Nile, where the UNMISS Indian Battalion held a free medical camp at the Malakal football stadium, State Governor Maj. Gen. Simon Kun Pouch commended the UN for the assistance assisting the government in peace building.

"This UN day is ours," he said. "We in South Sudan are happy for ... it is a day where we recall the time we were welcomed by nations as their younger brother," he said.

In Jonglei State, the Nepalese and Indian military contingents donated food items and medical assistance to 35 abducted and recovered women and children who are currently sheltering at an interim care centre run by the state ministry of Child, Gender and Social Welfare.

The Nepalese military contingent also donated sports equipment to students of Bor Complex Secondary School, following sports competitions among students.

Similar inter-school sports events, dubbed "Sports for Peace" were held in Unity State, for both primary and secondary children, while in Warrap State, the UN Police team played against their local South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) counterparts.

Warrap State Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Nicola Dimo Biajo commended the UNMISS capacity building support, which he said has increased professionalism in the force.

"UNMISS has helped in drawing our attention to the potential that policewomen have," he said. "We believe that with time and right support our female colleagues will work beside us."

In Western Bahr El-Ghazal, pupils from three schools presented drama and songs that commended the United Nations work and its impact on their daily lives.

The UN has more than 20 different organizations and a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. UNMISS, the peacekeeping mission, provides support for peace consolidation, capacity-building and protection of civilians. UN Agencies have mobilized US$ 750 million already this year for development programmes and humanitarian action. These funds are used for life-saving assistance to more than 200,000 malnourished children under five and other communities in need and the UN also helps to build capacity and secure people's livelihoods for the future.

The UN family is also working to support the Government of South Sudan on multiple issues such as promoting reconciliation; the protection of civilians; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; support for the establishment of new institutions; promoting human rights for all; the reform of the security sector and the strengthening of the rule of law.