The outgoing Indian Ambassador S D Moorthy has bid farewell to the people of South Sudan as new envoy takes over the diplomatic mission in Juba.

Mr. Moorthy said South Sudan will have a better future, but it requires unity and political will among leaders and citizens to be patriotic to effect.

Mr. Moorthy, whose tenure ended last week, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with the City Review in his office in Juba on Wednesday.

“I would like to convey my best wishes to the people of South Sudan. They are very, very gracious people,” said Mr. Moorthy.

“Let everybody think of the progress of this country, let out our differences. This country is very supreme. Everybody has to strive for the betterment of this country. I can see a huge bright future for this country.”

Moorthy pointed out that one of the ways to effect economic growth in South Sudan was for the coalition government to invest in and support local farmers to produce enough agricultural products.

“This country has abundant resources, now the government should encourage people’s engagement in agricultural activities. Personally, I feel it will bring economic development in this country because agriculture is the backbone of every country,” he said.

Despite delay in peace implementation process, with most of the critical tasks outstanding, Mr. Moorthy called on the revitalised government leaders to recommit themselves to build on the already achieved progress.

“The implementation of peace started in a slow pace, but now there is progress and we are happy about that. The leaders have to double their efforts to implement all the provisions of the peace agreement,” said Moorthy.

South Sudan- India ties

India— which has been one of the donor countries to South Sudan since independence in July 2011—has made several donations to South Sudan, including in health, education and capacity building.

Mr. Moorthy said the Indian government was ready and would continue to provide humanitarian and technical supports to the country to ensure South Sudan achieves total peace.

Moorthy, who has been in the country since 2018 before the signing of the revitalised agreement, said most of the negative information he heard about the country and its people were false adding that he would greatly miss South Sudan.

“I heard negative feedback from the media and other people. After reaching here, I realized that all were wrong. South Sudan is completely different but they have their own challenges. That is a different issue,” said the diplomat.