SOUTH SUDAN / LACROIX VISIT

STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / LACROIX VISIT
TRT: 4:10
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 06 NOVEMBER 2022, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

SHOTLIST:

1. Various shots, arrival at airport

FILE FOOTAGE

2. Various shots, revitalization forum, Addis Ababa
3. Various shots, POC site
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General, UN Peace Operations:
“Obviously, these steps forward in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement are positive but at the same time there is much more that needs to be done and we are all here to encourage further progress in the implementation of this peace agreement, because this is the framework, the political framework which offers hope for South Sudan to achieve more stability.”

06 NOVEMBER 2022, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

5. Various shots, meeting with UNMISS Principals
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General, UN Peace Operations:
“Now this is a visit that also occurs against the backdrop of the humanitarian situation that is really very dire and I think it is important to try our very best so that the people of South Sudan can get the kind of humanitarian assistance that they need at this juncture. This is challenging because the world is unfortunately affected by many crises and many humanitarian crises; and, therefore, one of the goals of this visit is to learn from our partners, our colleagues here, our interlocuters, what we can do to keep the level of attention of the international community towards South Sudan.”

06 DECEMBER 2021, BENTIU, SOUTH SUDAN

8. Various Shots, Bentiu flood

FILE FOOTAGE

9. Wide shot, armoured vehicles and displaced women

06 NOVEMBER 2022, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General, UN Peace Operations:
“First of all, it is really a pleasure to be with our colleagues from UNMISS again, and the colleagues from the UN family. This is a very important UN presence, but the challenges are also very daunting. The political challenges, the level of violence and also, as I indicated, the humanitarian situation. Now, I think what is critical is to make sure that this UN presence, these UN activities are really well coordinated here between the different pillars, between the different areas of activities so that we can provide the best possible response to the needs of South Sudan.”
11. Various shots, meeting with donors

STORYLINE:
It was a sunny day in South Sudan’s capital city, Juba, when Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix touched down for a four-day tour of this young nation.

USG Lacroix’s visit comes in the wake of a recent agreement by all signatories on a roadmap to push forward outstanding benchmarks contained within the 2018 peace deal, as South Sudan still struggles to deliver peace, recovery, and development to its citizens after the devastation of civil wars.

SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General, UN Peace Operations:
“Obviously, these steps forward in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement are positive but at the same time there is much more that needs to be done and we are all here to encourage further progress in the implementation of this peace agreement, because this is the framework, the political framework which offers hope for South Sudan to achieve more stability.”

The UN Peacekeeping chief began his day with a briefing from Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for South Sudan and Head of UNMISS, before meeting with a cross section of humanitarian partners and the donor community.

SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General, UN Peace Operations:
“Now this is a visit that also occurs against the backdrop of the humanitarian situation that is really very dire and I think it is important to try our very best so that the people of South Sudan can get the kind of humanitarian assistance that they need at this juncture. This is challenging because the world is unfortunately affected by many crises and many humanitarian crises; and, therefore, one of the goals of this visit is to learn from our partners, our colleagues here, our interlocuters, what we can do to keep the level of attention of the international community towards South Sudan.”

Climate shocks in the form of the worst flooding in nearly a century have resulted in an exponential increase in humanitarian needs, while soaring sub-national and intercommunal violence continues to create protection emergencies that UNMISS is proactively responding to.

SOUNDBITE (English]) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General, UN Peace Operations”
“First of all, it is really a pleasure to be with our colleagues from UNMISS again, and the colleagues from the UN family. This is a very important UN presence, but the challenges are also very daunting. The political challenges, the level of violence and also, as I indicated, the humanitarian situation. Now, I think what is critical is to make sure that this UN presence, these UN activities are really well coordinated here between the different pillars, between the different areas of activities so that we can provide the best possible response to the needs of South Sudan.”

It is against this complex backdrop of interconnected crises that USG Lacroix, accompanied by the UN Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, Courtenay Rattrey, is undertaking this timely visit.