African ambassadors to South Sudan address the media ahead of Africa Day celebrations, calling for peace, unity, and sustainable use of natural resources across the continent. Photo: Madrama James/Eye Radio

The African Diplomatic Corps in South Sudan has called on citizens to utilize the country’s natural resources to promote economic growth and development as Africa marks Africa Day.

Speaking yesterday ahead of the commemoration on May 25, African ambassadors and envoys emphasized the importance of water as a vital resource for the continent and urged greater cooperation in managing natural resources.

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, the African Union’s Special Representative to South Sudan, called for peace and unity in the country to create an environment for development and economic transformation.

“Access to safe drinking water, good health and sanitation are paramount in ensuring social economic transformation in our continent. We therefore use this occasion as Africa Diplomatic Corps to wish all South Sudanese happy Africa Day,” Ambassador Ali said.

“We stand in solidarity with the government and the people of South Sudan and call on them to fly the flags of South Sudan and the African Union very high. We call for a peaceful a and united South Sudan that does not excuse division and discrimination. A South Sudan that will consolidate its years of independence through economic transformation, peace, security and stability to the benefit of all the citizens,” he added.

South African Ambassador to South Sudan, Mahlodi Sam Muofhe, urged South Sudanese to use Africa Day as an opportunity to silence guns and unlock the country’s mineral wealth for socio-economic progress.

“Africa Day should be a platform where South Sudan, should say that we want to be counted. A country guns are silenced completely so that South Sudan with all its vast mineral resources available to it can play that meaningful socio-economic position in Africa and be a player which will be able to feed its own citizens and also export some of its produce externally so that its revenue gets enhanced,” Ambassador Sam said.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to South Sudan, Hazem Mamdouh Fawzy, stressed the importance of managing natural resources in accordance with international law.

“Looking at the importance of managing natural resources in accordance with international law. I believe that without adhering to these legal principles, we risk depleting these resources entirely. This applies to Egyptians, South Sudanese, Sudanese, Africans, and people worldwide whether in Latin America, Europe, or America. Proper management of shared resources under international law is crucial to prevent their loss. This point is very significant,” the Egyptian envoy said.

Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963.

This year’s celebration is being marked under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” highlighting water as a key resource for Africa’s future development.

The day marks the historic gathering of leaders from 32 independent African nations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where they signed a charter aimed at promoting African unity and self-determination.