“A Letter from the Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan”

Today is the final day for me as Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan. As I leave this country, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for all those throughout South Sudan who supported me on numerous occasions.

During my tenure, South Sudan still had a difficult time. Nevertheless, I would like to focus on and emphasize the progress that this country has achieved under the challenging environment.

Since last month, I had the privilege of visiting three places outside Juba: Wau, Bentiu and Mingkaman. It has always been an eye-opening experience to visit places different from the capital, as this country is so diverse in the settings and cultures. In addition, I could observe and better understand how people are living their daily lives in respective communities, how they enjoy and suffer, and what they really want in the future.

With kids in Wau PoC site	At Reproductive Health Clinic in Wau

In Wau, I made a visit to a Protection of Civilians (PoC) site, where Japan is supporting Reproductive Health Clinic with UNFPA and camp management, shelter and non-food items with IOM. I was surrounded by many curious and smiling kids with bright eyes even under displacement from their original homes. We are all working for their future. I was glad to learn that, as UNMISS and security forces were working together on the ground to improve security, those IDPs were gradually returning to their communities.

With community leaders in Bentiu PoC site ⒸIOM/McLaughlin 2017	In a shelter in Bentiu PoC site

In Bentiu, I was guided by Ms. Hirahara Hiroko, a fellow Japanese who heads the UNMISS Field Office, along with IOM and UNICEF representatives. I met community leaders at the POC site and listened to their voices. The paramount message was the need for peace as soon as possible. The population of IDPs was about 115,000, many of whom had been there since the incident in December 2013. I was encouraged by the “Beyond Bentiu” initiative taking place under the partnership of the Government, UNMISS, IOM and UNICEF among others, where security and basic services are directed to facilitate the return of IDPs to their home communities.

At Mingkaman Women Empowerment Center	A women group growing vegetables in Mingkaman

My visit to Mingkaman was the fifth time for various Japan-supported projects. This time, I attended the inauguration ceremony of the Women Empowerment Center, supported by UN Women and Japan. Eastern Lakes State Governor and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Gender also graced the occasion. The leader of the Women’s Association in Mingkaman, Mama Rhoda, took the lead in realizing the project including securing the land, in full cooperation of the County Commissioner. I am hopeful that all the women who welcomed us in large numbers singing and dancing will get great benefit from skills training for livelihood and gender-related education.

At a farewell forum	With H.E. the President

As I leave South Sudan, the Ebony Center for Strategic Studies, the Sudd Institute and the University of Juba kindly organized two farewell fora, where I delivered speeches entitled “Supporting Peace and Development in South Sudan: A Japanese Perspective” and “Japan’s Path to Development and Lessons for South Sudan: Personal Observations”. I was deeply grateful for the opportunities and put all the messages that I wanted to convey to the Government and the people of Japan in these speeches, including a simple but the most important message that “sustainable peace in South Sudan can only be achieved by fostering ownership and commitment by South Sudanese themselves, combined with ensuring cooperation and support from the international community”. I greatly appreciate the Juba Monitor newspaper kindly carrying the entire texts of the two speeches. I also explained and handed the speeches to H.E. the President on the occasion of a farewell call.

I received requests and questions from so many people on the resumption of JICA’s major infrastructure projects. I replied to them that high-level officials from the Cabinet Office, Foreign Ministry and JICA came to Juba in late August for the very first time after the incident in July 2016, who called on H.E. the President and inspected major project sites. With this concrete first step, I am hoping that further steps will be taken as security situation in Juba and throughout the country steadily improves and additional security measures for aid workers are properly taken with the efforts of the Government and the people of South Sudan.

My experience in South Sudan was extraordinary, and I received tremendous goodwill from the people of South Sudan, which I will never forget. Last but certainly not least, I thank you all in South Sudan and wish you peace and development. I will be with you all forever.