Outgoing Norwegian Ambassador Linken Nymann Berryman has urged the various South Sudanese parties to negotiate in peace for the sake of their country.
In her farewell address in Juba Thursday, the ambassador shared her priority three points as the desire for peaceful and credible elections, the proper use of public funds and the freedom of women to participate in society on equal terms to men.
She said she had been honored to represent her country in the beautiful South Sudan, where she was welcomed with warmth and generosity.
“Thank you for that warm welcome and for your continued willingness to meet and discuss,” said Berryman.
Regarding her point Number One, the Norwegian diplomat urged the parties to the Revitalized Agreement for Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), as well as the non-signatories to use the Nairobi Tumaini Initiative to embrace peace.
“To all the parties involved, we say: negotiate in good faith. Compromise. There needs to be willingness to also give and not just take. The R-ARCSS interparty talks at leadership level in Juba must start,” she said.
On the second point, Ambassador Linken stated that peace and economic stability were intimately intertwined, hence the need for the government to ensure the prioritization of the Public Financial Management reforms.
She noted that corruption perpetuates violence and instability, reiterating the warning by Pope Francis during his visit to South Sudan last year, against using the abundant resources for the benefit of only a few.
She stressed that civil servants, including teachers, health workers, soldiers and police must be paid, as a matter of utmost urgency, as that was closely linked to security.
On the third point, the outgoing envoy stressed the need to expedite legislations to protect women and girls from gender-based violence and forced child marriages.
“It is imperative to urgently enact the Family Bill, Women’s Empowerment Bill and the Anti-GBV Bill. I encourage all of you here to be ambassadors for the women and girls of South Sudan. A prosperous and peaceful South Sudan depends on it,” she explained.
Ambassador Linken said she would carry with her fond memories but also a deep respect and admiration for all the people she met, and who were dedicated to working for a better tomorrow for the people of South Sudan.
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.