Michael Kingsley-Nyinah from the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) has called upon the government and people of South Sudan to remember the hope and joy that filled the nation at independence as they work towards resolving the crisis.

Mr. Kingsley-Nyinah , who is the Director of DPKO’s Africa Division I, is currently visiting a few UNMISS Field Offices in the country. Speaking in Bentiu, he said that everyone needs to work to resolve differences by political rather than military means. He urged everyone to remember and reinvent the hope and potential for the young country to develop.

“Because (at the time of gaining independence, in 2011) there was so much hope that this young country has everything it needs to be successful, to be strong and to provide prosperity and protection to its people”, said Mr. Kingsley-Nyinah, and added that political solutions are key:

The visiting UN DPKO Director stressed that cooperation from the government of South Sudan to enable UNMISS to operate unhindered is “essential”.

“Our staff is our most important asset and we have to take care of them if the mission is to be successful”.

While visiting the Bentiu Field Office, the director was briefed by its leadership, toured the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site and discussed with community representatives. 

While in South Sudan, Mr. Kingsley-Nyinah also visited the UNMISS Wau Field Office and met state government officials, civil society organizations and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in the area.

Mr. Michael Kingsley-Nyinah was appointed DPKO’s Director of Africa Division I in September 2016.