2nd June, 2015
United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has condemned the Government of South Sudan’s decision to expel the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in South Sudan, Toby Lanzer.
In a statement issued on Monday in New York, Ban said Lanzer had been instrumental in addressing the increasing humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities in the country, and ensuring that life-saving humanitarian assistance reached the most vulnerable.
This, he said, had been necessary because of continuing violence by parties in the absence of a comprehensive peace agreement.
The secretary-general urged the Government of South Sudan to reverse its decision immediately.
He further urged the Government to cooperate fully with UN entities present in South Sudan.
Ban in the statement said Lanzer was coming to the end of his tenure “and there is need to ensure continuity for the critical function of the envoy.”
Lanzer is also the Resident Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN Mission in South Sudan.