Hilde Frafjord Johnson new UN representative in South Sudan

“With her broad experience of development issues and her insight into Sudan and the peace process, she is the right person to lead the UN’s efforts to help resolve the major challenges facing South Sudan in the time ahead,” said Mr Støre.

Former Development Minister Hilde Frafjord Johnson was appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan on 8 July. Her candidature was actively supported by the Norwegian Government. On the same day the Security Council adopted a mandate for a new UN operation in South Sudan. Ms Johnson will lead the UN’s work in what, from today, will become Africa’s 54th state and soon the UN’s 193rd member.

During her term as Norwegian Development Minister, Hilde Frafjord Johnson helped to put the fight against poverty and the specific challenges of fragile states high up on the international agenda. She was a key player in the peace negotiations between North and South Sudan, and knows the region well. Since August 2007, she has been Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF.

“The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan and the UN will have a key role to play in the efforts to bring about stability, peace and sustainable development, in addition to helping the authorities to build a new state. I congratulate Hilde Frafjord Johnson on her appointment. She has the support of Norway and the Government as she starts her work. Norway will continue to give high priority to Sudan both bilaterally and through the UN, and we will continue to support the efforts to establish a new state in South Sudan,” said Mr Støre.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs