JUBA, Jul 13 (NNN-SUNA) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said yesterday, it plans to launch a significant new initiative, designed to increase participation in the peace process and support efforts to progress the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement.
The UN mission said, the UNMISS Peace Fellows Programme, will bring together participants from the ten states and three administrative areas, in a year-long programme of engagement, beginning with a series of education and awareness-raising activities in Juba.
The programme, which is backed by the African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is a joint initiative between UNMISS and South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The programme will be officially launched later this week at a special event led by UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom, and Vice President, Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, with support from representatives from IGAD and AU.
The launch comes, after Haysom said in Jun that, the peace process remains fragile, despite some recent progress made by the parties to the 2018 revitalised peace deal, signed in Ethiopia.
“Courageous decisions need to be made, including the unification of security forces. I urge the people and leaders of South Sudan, to breathe fresh life in the peace process and fully implement the agreement, including by finalising the constitution and eventually holding elections,” he said.
The UN official noted that, the peace process must be led and owned by the people of South Sudan, to ensure that the peace that is achieved is sustainable.– NNN-SUNA
