South Sudan gained its independence in 2011, making it the youngest republic in Africa. Under the terms of 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement that came into effect on 22 February 2020, South Sudan is now governed by a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU).
This government is led by a cabinet of 35 members, 5 vice presidents and the President of the nation H.E Salva Kiir. The Vice Presidents were set to rule in the form of clusters; H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President (Governance Cluster), H.E Dr. James Wani Igga Vice President of the Economic Cluster, H.E Taban Deng Gai, Vice President of Infrastructure Cluster, H.E Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, Vice President of the youth and gender cluster and H,E Hussein Abdelbagi, Vice President of the Service Cluster.
Since the UNFPA South Sudan Country Representative, Dr. Ademola Olajide’s, arrival in South Sudan in April 2022, he has played an active role in meeting the highest levels of Government such as Vice President H.E Dr, Riek Machar and H.E Mama Rebecca Nyandeng, to not only pay a formal introduction, but to lobby for the rights of women and girls in South Sudan. Engaging with the various vice presidents plays a key role in having the highest level of governance understand the UNFPA’s mandate to uphold the rights of women and girls while achieving the 3 transformative results; Zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices such as child marriage.
UNFPA over the years has played a very key role in supporting the government of South Sudan through various efforts such as conducting the country’s first Population Estimate Survey through the National Bureau of Statics, led by the Office of the Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga, Championing the rights of women and girls through the ministry of Gender, led by the office of Vice President, H.E Mama Rebecca Nyandeng as well as giving ample support to the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan in the various states.
UNFPA South Sudan continues being is on the ground before, during and after crises, working closely with governments, local NGOs, UN agencies and other partners to ensure that sexual reproductive health and rights and responses to gender-based violence are integrated into emergency responses.
