Foreign Minister urges UN to shift from peacekeeping to national capacity building

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has called on the United Nations to gradually shift its focus from international peacekeeping to development and national capacity building, saying South Sudan cannot remain dependent on peacekeeping indefinitely.

Addressing the UN General Assembly yesterday, Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Cecilia Adut Manyok said the ultimate goal is for South Sudan to build the capacity to sustain its own peacebuilding efforts.

Adut said South Sudan appreciates the contribution of international peacekeepers but should not remain indefinitely dependent on them.

“We recognize the men and women who serve under the United Nations flag, particularly those who have lost their lives in the service of peace. As South Sudan advances its transition, international engagement must also evolve.

“President Kiir’s vision is not for South Sudan to remain indefinitely dependent upon international peacekeeping. The objective must be a South Sudan capable of sustaining its own peacekeeping,” Adut said.

She called for greater investment in national institutions to ensure they can sustain peace after international peacekeepers leave the country.

“South Sudan therefore calls for a greater emphasis on peace building, institutional development, continuous capacity building, and we are also keen to establishing partnership. Invest in South Sudan, police and judiciary,” he said.

The minister called for increased support to public administration, education, healthcare and infrastructure.

She also urged greater investment in agriculture and economic development.

“Invest in public administration. Invest in education and health care. Invest in infrastructure. Invest in women and young people. Invest in institutions that will sustain peace long after peacekeepers have departed. The ultimate measures of a successful peacekeeping should be the establishment of a condition under which peacekeeping is no longer required,” she added.

Adut said such investment could help South Sudan move from humanitarian dependency towards greater self-reliance.

She said successful peacekeeping should ultimately create conditions in which international peacekeeping is no longer needed.