The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has received a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General who landed in the country on Sunday.

Nicholas Haysom was welcomed by the South Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Beatrice Wani-Noah at Juba International Airport.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of South African over the weekend.

Haysom is replacing David Shearer who finished his four-year term recently as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The incoming UNMISS boss underlined the commitment of the UN to working with people and leaders of South Sudan in order to secure stability and prosperity.

 “South Sudan is entering a new phase and people’s expectations are high. There is real hope for progress in the implementation of the peace agreement and, ultimately, achieving a more durable peace,” said Haysom.

He added that, “As partners in that process, the UN will continue to work with South Sudanese as well as regional and international partners to provide stability and, ultimately, secure prosperity for all citizens.”

Haysom is an international lawyer with expertise in reconciliation and peace processes, democratic governance, and constitutional and electoral reform.

Past engagements

He has a long history of supporting South Sudan, including assisting the negotiation of 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

“It is a privilege to continue my relationship with South Sudan by serving in this new role, leading UNMISS in its peacekeeping and peace-building work,” he said.

He promised to support all efforts to ‘push the peace process forward with a focus on key areas such as constitution-making, security, justice, economic reforms, and assisting preparations for elections.’

“UNMISS will also continue to search for new ways to magnify the impact of its own activities and improve its performance in carrying out its mandated work to protect civilians and build peace.

“I am very much looking forward to serving and supporting the people of this country so that they can enjoy the much brighter future that they deserve,” he said.

After completing mandatory quarantine in compliance with local COVID-19 protocols, ‘he will begin a busy schedule of meetings with South Sudan’s leaders, the diplomatic community, and other key stakeholders in the peace process.’