“Currently, international news highlights the visit of Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of United Nations peacekeeping operations, to South Sudan. This visit aims to assess the progress made in the peace process and ongoing preparations for the upcoming elections in December, the country’s first since independence.
In Juba, meetings are planned with leaders of the Transitional Government of National Unity, representatives of civil society and other key actors involved in the peace process. Accompanied by Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Jean-Pierre Lacroix expressed the importance of this crucial period for South Sudan, marked by challenges but also by varied expectations.
Nicholas Haysom, head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the region, highlighted the opportunity offered to Mr. Lacroix to discover one of the most important and effective missions, to confront the challenges encountered and the strategies put in place to overcome them.
The visit will also include a meeting with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to assess the current situation in southern Abyei, where intercommunal violence has recently increased. Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Hanna Serwaa Tetteh will have the opportunity to meet with local authorities, traditional leaders, women’s groups and representatives of civil society.
During this mission, emphasis will also be placed on challenges posed by the region, including hostilities in Sudan and local conflicts between the Ngok (Dinka) and Twic (Dinka) communities. In addition, issues such as the impact of climate change will also have a significant impact on the civilian population.
In conclusion, this visit by Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Hanna Serwaa Tetteh to South Sudan and Abyei will highlight the peacekeeping mission’s ongoing efforts to protect civilians and ease intercommunal tensions. An opportunity to recognize and thank peacekeeping personnel for their dedication in such a complex and demanding environment.”