The Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General in South Sudan, Ellen Margarethe Loej, has said she is concerned that the South Sudanese “hopes and aspirations at the time of independence have not yet been fulfilled”.
Mr Ellen made the remark in Juba this morning during a farewell speech as she prepares to leave office as head of UNMISS this week.
She expressed her deep concerns about the current situation in the country, especially for the civilians.
She lamented: “I’m extremely depressed that their hopes and aspirations at the time of independence have not yet been fulfilled – that conflict that erupted in December 15th, continues to make South Sudanese homeless, internally displaced or refugees in neighboring countries.”
“And I am of course also worried about the threat to their security wherever they are, and not least, by the economic hardships they have to endure.”
She called upon stakeholders to the peace agreement to support its implementation.
Ms Ellen Margarethe Loj was appointed by the UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon as his Special Representative in the Country in July 2014, replacing Hilde Johnson.
Before Ellen’s appointment, she served as the Ambassador to the United Nations for Denmark from 2001 until 2007.
She also served as Denmark’s ambassador to the Czech Republic before she was appointed by as Special Representative for Liberia in October 2007.
Mr Ellen is leaving office amid official reports that the mission failed to protect civilians during the July violence in Juba.
The secretary general Ban Ki Moon has sacked the Kenyan general who was the force commander.