The new
Norwegian ambassador to South Sudan’s term in office will aim to strengthen the
long-standing relations between the two countries, the diplomatic mission has
said.
Amb. Roar
Haugsdal officially presented his credentials to President Salva Kiir in Juba
on Wednesday.
“Norway has
been a friend to the people of South Sudan for more than 50 years. We would
want to see the people of South Sudan prosper and live safe and healthy lives,”
he said at the ceremony held at the state house.
“We had a
conversation about the implementation of the peace agreement and the need for
progress on election preparation. We also talked about the Tumaini Initiative,
which Norway strongly supports—so that we can strive for our common goal of
peace, security, and stability.”
Amb. Haugsdal
succeeds Amb. Linken Nymann Berryman.
Prior to his
appointment, Amb. Haugsdal held prominent roles within the Norwegian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, including Minister Counsellor and Charge d’affaires a.i. in
Baghdad, Iraq, and Deputy Head of Mission in Amman, Jordan.
He has also
served in the Department of Humanitarian Affairs and at the Norwegian Embassy
in The Hague in the Netherlands.
Norway has
provided significant support to South Sudan since the country’s independence in
2011 with contributions to peace negotiations, education initiatives, and
humanitarian assistance.
"Norway
is a friend and will continue to be a friend of the people of South Sudan,
bilaterally and as part of the Troika," partly reads a statement issued on
Thursday.
In 2023,
Norway provided more than $100 million in development and humanitarian support
to South Sudan.