South Sudan needs to develop a broad set of partnerships √ɬê with the North, with its neighbours and its own people √ɬê to tackle the “daunting” challenges it faces, says UN Secretary-General.
Ban Ki-moon said in an article in the New York Times that today will be a momentous and emotional day for the more than eight million citizens of South Sudan.He added that when the assembled presidents and prime ministers board their official planes to return home, the challenges that remain will be daunting indeed.
Mr. Ban noted that South Sudan will rank near the bottom of all recognized human development indices, including the world’s highest maternal mortality rate and a female illiteracy rate of over 80 per cent.
He added that critical issues of poverty, insecurity and lack of infrastructure must all be addressed by a relatively new government with little experience and only embryonic institutions.