SRSG Nicholas Haysom on Wednesday's press conference says South Sudan has to grapple with multiple challenges, including the effects of the Sudanese situation, without losing sight of the critical need to address its own internal security challenges - Photo Credit: UNMISS

The UN Mission in South Sudan has urged the unity government to learn from the Sudanese crisis, saying the violence in the neighbouring country flared up due to inaction in the peace deal.

Nicholas Haysom – the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS – says the government should implement the roadmap in letter and spirit.

He also called on peace parties to focus on resolving the outstanding tasks in the peace agreement.

This according to him can pave the way for free, fair, and credible elections.

“I have also encouraged the President to continue making progress towards implementation of the South Sudanese roadmap,” Haysom said during a press conference in Juba.

“This is not the time to take our eyes off the board. What we can learn from Sudan is how quickly matters can be unravelled if neglected,

“At the beginning of the year, I outlined the challenges and priorities facing South Sudan at the scale of importance of what remains to be done and does not leave room for inaction,

“We still see 2023 as a make-or-break year for this nation, if it is to fully implement the peace agreement which is to suggest that matters cannot differ to 2024.”