The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Juba on Tuesday announced the arrival of Mr. Roar Haugsdal — the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Republic of South Sudan. Ambassador Haugsdal succeeds former Ambassador Linken Nymann Berryman.
Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Haugsdal held prominent roles within the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Minister Counsellor and Charge d’affaires a.i. in Baghdad, Iraq, and Deputy Head of Mission in Amman Jordan. Ambassador Haugsdal has also served in the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, and at the Norwegian Embassy in The Hague in the Netherlands.
With a comprehensive understanding of international relations and an extensive background in diplomacy and development collaboration, Ambassador Haugsdal is equipped to further strengthen the long-standing relationship between the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of South Sudan, the Embassy said in a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj.
Ambassador Haugsdal said: “I am delighted to arrive in Juba to start my tenure as Norwegian Ambassador. Here, I will be focusing on key areas of Norwegian engagement in South Sudan, including supporting the implementation of the Peace Agreement, addressing the humanitarian crisis, and advancing development priorities such as education, women peace and security, good governance, and human rights. I also look forward to visiting the various regions of this vast and diverse nation.”
According to the statement, Norway has consistently stood by the people of South Sudan in their journey towards peace and progress, and this partnership will continue to be a cornerstone of Ambassador Haugsdal’s work.
Norway and South Sudan have a friendly relationship dating back to the history of the struggle of the people of South Sudan from the 1972 Addis Ababa Accord and Comprehensive Peace Agreement 2005 and during the Implementation of (CPA) where Norway played a significant role in the peace process.
South Sudan is currently heading towards a critical time in transition where President Salva Kiir and parties to the 2018 peace agreement have to decide whether to hold elections in December as earlier planned or extend the transitional government of national unity and allow time for preparations.
The agreement is coming to an end on February 22, 2025 and must be preceded by elections scheduled for December 2024.