UN diplomat urges leaders to set differences aside for stability

JUBA – A United Nations diplomat on Monday called on South Sudanese political leaders to understand each other and set aside differences for peace and stability to prevail in the world’s youngest country.

Ms. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Resident Coordinator made this call during the celebration of the UN 77 anniversary in Juba.

“I call on all the people of South Sudan – especially the leaders – to put aside their differences and get truly united, to deliver peace, progress, and security for all,” Nyanti said during the commemoration of UN day in Juba on Monday.

Nyanti noted that it is through national unity and strength of political purpose that the remaining benchmarks in 2018 peace can be fulfilled.

“This nation has faced numerous challenges – outbreaks of civil war, loss of lives and property, sexual violence, severe climate shocks, and food insecurity,” said Nyanti.

She said it is only through unity that the people of South Sudan can enjoy the prosperous and secure future they deserve.

“However, this young nation and the people have shown resilience, and continue to do their best to overcome all obstacles to attaining lasting peace,” she said.

She added that the road to durable peace is not easy, but unity of purpose among all leaders can minimize the difficulties the people of South Sudan are facing.

“We know that without peace, there can be no sustainable development.”

“This is why we are working with the Government and communities as an impartial partner to help deliver sustained peace, humanitarian assistance, security, and development.”

She said that the extension of the peace agreement needs to be translated into a reduction of incidents of sub-national violence and inter-communal conflicts.

“This nation desperately needs an all-inclusive constitution-making process that can pave the way for the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections, to mark the end of the transition and the beginning of South Sudan’s journey as a truly democratic nation,” she said.

Stephen Par Kuol, Minister of Peace Building reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implement the roadmap in a bid to restore durable peace in the country.

“We will ensure that this agreement which establishes the government of the day is implemented and that we build peace together and we build the nation of South Sudan because there is no national building without peacebuilding,” said Kuol

“We must implement a peace agreement and build South Sudan that is peaceful, South Sudan at peace with itself and with its neighbors and with the world,” Kuol added.