April 29, in South Sudan, will be remembered as a historic milestone: the establishment of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), which brought all contending parties to unite in harmony, was a remarkable step toward the realization and of peace. The day was long awaited for by the South Sudanese people as well as the international community at large. On this auspicious occasion, the Government of Japan issued a statement to welcome the national event. In late May, the President, the First Vice President and the Vice President started dialogues amongst them, and the new unified leadership is making its way forward to reconciling differences for consolidation of peace together.
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| The new TGoNU executives ©UNMISS |
Leaders pledging to overcome differences and to attain peace ©UNMISS |
Against this backdrop, another joyous occasion for Japan happened on May 26. This year, the University of Juba decided to bestow an Honorary Doctorate to the Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan “in recognition of the strategic approach to development and humanitarian and assistance adopted in South Sudan by the government and the people of Japan”. H.E. James Wani Igga, the Vice President, who presided over the convocation on behalf of His Excellency the President-cum-Chancellor of the University, conferred upon me the Honorary Doctorate and commended Japan’s continued support to the people of South Sudan in various fields.
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| Vice President Wani Igga awarding the Honorary Doctorate |
Graduands at the University of Juba |
I would like to clarify here that Japan’ assistance comprises only a fraction of myriad cooperation programmes for South Sudan supported by the international community. It is indeed thanks to various national and international actors in the field, most notably stakeholders to the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan, that Japan’s cooperation projects have taken effect and been recognized. Nevertheless, the fact that the Honorary Doctorate was awarded to Japan demonstrates how Japan’s support has struck a chord with the South Sudanese people. Therefore, I would like to convey the heartfelt thanks of the people of South Sudan to my fellow Japanese who have long sustained our cooperation with South Sudan.
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| JICA’s Project for Improvement of Water Supply System of Juba |
Inauguration of Mingkaman River Port with UNOPS |
At the core of Japan’s assistance to South Sudan lies consideration for the special hardships of postwar reconstruction that Japan knows too well. Through the CPA era into independence and national reconciliation process, Japan has tried to facilitate South Sudan’s graduation from humanitarian aid, preparing basic infrastructure for economic development and equipping responsible individuals with skills and knowledge, thereby letting South Sudan stand on its own feet.
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| Police officers’ workshop by UNDP at Dr. John Garang Unified Police Training Complex |
UNITAR Hiroshima instilling knowledge from postwar reconstruction |
As the TGoNU has formed itelf at a critical juncture to tackle enormous challenges in the political, security, economic, and humanitarian spheres simultaneously, Japan will keep in mind how best it may support the self-help efforts of the TGoNU. While continuing to support the police force to enhance security, which is the utmost prerequisite for development, Japan joins the international community in contributing to rigorous ceasefire monitoring and public financial management reforms. At the same time, such external support first requires South Sudan to demonstrate its leadership in working out solutions on its own. The initiative of the TGoNU to take enlightened decisions and actions will certainly enable Japan to better formulate and extend its further assistance to South Sudan.
South Sudan will soon celebrate the fifth anniversary of its independence. As the old Japanese saying goes, adversity strengthens foundations. The turmoils that took many shapes and turns in South Sudan are all in the past, and we reinforce our hopes that the endeavours of South Sudan stand on firm grounds of reconciliation and unity only to move forward.
