UNDP South Sudan Update 1

South Sudan

Update SouthSudanOctober 2012 Volume 4, Issue 4

New faces at UNDP

T his summer brought much change to UNDP South Sudan. After four years, Ms. Lise Grande said goodbye to South Sudan and

assumed a new role as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in India. Mr. Toby Lanzer came on board in July as Deputy Special Representative in UNMISS, UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Representative of UNDP. In August, Mr. Balázs Horváth then joined the UNDP South Sudan team as Country Director.

Mr. Lanzer brings to the position experience in development, humanitarian affairs and peacekeeping since first joining UNDP in 1992. His most recent positions have included Chief of Staff of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), Deputy Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and UNDP Resident Representative in the Central African Republic. Commenting on his new position, Mr. Lanzer said “It is a great honour for me to work in the world’s newest country. I look forward to working with the South Sudanese people, the UN family and other partners towards building a peaceful, democratic, just and prosperous South Sudan.”

Mr. Horváth is responsible for overall management of the UNDP programme supporting the Government of South Sudan. Prior to joining UNDP South Sudan, he was Director a.i. of the UNDP

Bratislava Regional Centre. He led UNDP’s work on poverty reduction in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States for nearly four years. His main areas of expertise include economic policies to reduce poverty, social protection, and policies for sustainable development. Before joining UNDP in 2009, Mr. Horváth worked with the International Monetary Fund in Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Iran, Kazakhstan, Serbia and Montenegro, and Sweden, and also served as IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine from 2007 to 2009. On his new position, Mr. Horváth stated “South Sudan faces some of the greatest challenges but at the same time presents many opportunities. I am excited to work with our Government counterparts in achieving the goals outlined in the South Sudan Development Plan (SSDP).”

UNDP’s programme supports the development priorities detailed in the SSDP in the areas of governance, economic growth, social and human development, conflict prevention and security as well as rule of law. Some of UNDP’s goals for the next year include:

■■ Bolstering technical support to State Ministries of Finance and Revenue Authorities through

continued deployment of specialists, and assistance to every state in formulating state level strategic plans.

■■ Increasing the number of Civil Servants deployed through the RSS / Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Regional Capacity Initiative to 200. These civil servants from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda provide on-the-job training and mentoring to their South Sudanese counterparts at central level ministries, commissions and state governments to build capacity.

■■ Supporting the Community Security and Arms Control Bureau to foster a more proactive approach to small arms reduction by raising awareness, reaching out to communities and facilitating consultation in insecure counties.

■■ Providing support to the Government to extend its authority to insecure areas through four State Stabilization Programmes funded by the South Sudan Recovery Fund (SSRF), including handing over new police posts, water access points and opening new security roads in the coming dry season. ■

ABOVE: The Hon. Paulino Wanawila Onango, Deputy Minister of Justice and Mr. Toby Lanzer, DSRSG/RC/HC/UNDP Resident Representative signing the agreement handing over the National Customary Law Centre in Rumbek, Lakes State. ©UNDP/Marguerite Nowak

In thIs Issue ■ New faces at UNDP■■Reducing maternal mortality■ Harmonizing customary and statutory law■■■Mitigating cattle-raiding

2 UNDP South Sudan Update

FocUSiNg oN reSUlTS

ReDUciNg mateRNal mORtality

South Sudan has the highest Maternal Mortality Rate in the world. The Ministry of Health with support from UNDP and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis are working to reduce it. In late June, UNDP handed over teaching facilities and a new dormitory for the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery. The new dormitory made it possible for 134 students to study and live for two years while training to become nurses and midwives.

As Principle Recipient of the Global Fund, UNDP has concentrated on strengthening the Ministry of Health by administering resources to construct needed infrastructure and provide associated capacity development and training support. In addition to this teaching facility

and dormitory, UNDP has supported the Government in building ten ante-natal clinics, eight laboratories, five maternity wards, five monitoring and evaluation facilities, four community resource centres, three blood banks and two teaching institutions. However, the impact of UNDP’s programme goes beyond constructing infrastructure; we are working to improve the health of the population and ultimately the potential of people to live better lives and contribute to their communities. “UNDP has been a proud partner over the years in helping the Government fight TB, Malaria and HIV with support from the Global Fund” stated George Conway, Deputy Country Director. “The support through the Health Systems Strengthening Grant is critical in working to reduce Maternal Mortality, which in South Sudan is worse than anywhere else in the world. A 15-year old girl has a higher

in response to the recent austerity measures, UNDP sharpened its efforts to concentrate on

supporting the Government in specific core functions, including planning and financial management, accountability and oversight, conflict prevention and access to justice. Reprioritizing programming was not easy for UNDP, but by focusing on core functions we are working to prevent backsliding on the progress made since the CPA and ensure that as the country emerges from austerity, the key building blocks are still in place.

Highlights from the last quarter have included supporting Government counterparts in their efforts to reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate, initiate the harmonization of customary law with the emerging statutory law system and mitigate violence related to cattle raiding.

UNDP South Sudan Update 3

HaRmONiziNg cUstOmaRy aND statUtORy law

In August, the Ministry of Justice with support from UNDP formally opened the National Customary Law Centre (CLC) in Rumbek, Lakes State. Customary courts, often referred to as “chiefs’ courts,” are responsible for adjudicating the overwhelming majority of civil and criminal cases in South Sudan. The importance of customary law and chiefs’ courts to the justice system has been recognised in the foundational documents and laws of South Sudan in the post-CPA and post-independence periods.

However, lines between the customary and statutory courts of first instance are often blurred both as a matter of law and practice. At the same time, there is varied understanding amongst both statutory and customary actors on the

chance dying from pregnancy-related causes then completing school.”

UNDP is continuing to work with the Ministry of Health by providing technical advice to address health sector priorities, improve data collection and strengthen service delivery. The Honourable Dr. Michael Milly Hussein, Minister of Health stated, at the handover of the new dormitory, that “The high Maternal Mortality Rate among our mothers and sisters is a concern, and this [dormitory] is a strike in reducing it. If a mother has good ante-natal care, then the child will be born healthy and that is the beginning of a good life.”

distinctions between the two bodies of law. Moreover, there is insufficient capacity to administer and oversee the functioning of customary courts in line with the Constitution and laws of South Sudan.

The CLC is the first institution of its kind in Africa and will facilitate coordination between Government and other stakeholders of the customary justice system. The CLC will also provide advice and training for all branches of Government on matters of customary law and serve as a repository for all relevant customary law research and reference materials. It is expected to work closely with the Local Government Board in reforming customary law while ensuring it complements the

ABOVE: A customary court in session, Kwajok, Warrap State © UNDP/Jenn Warren LEFT: An expecting mother visiting a clinic in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. © UNDP/Brian Sokol Continued on page 4 >

4 UNDP South Sudan Update

ReDUciNg cattle-RaiDiNg viOleNce

In early September, UNDP supported the South Sudan National Police Service in reconstituting the Livestock Patrol Unit (LPU) in Jonglei state, a state characterised by insecurity resulting from inter-communal conflict over cattle. The South Sudan Bureau for Community Security and Small Arms Control (BCSSAC), in partnership with the

statutory legal system and upholds certain cultural transitions.

UNDP will continue to provide technical support to the Ministry during the reform process that aims to clarify the structural framework of the customary law system, its jurisdiction and how it complements the statutory legal framework. Mr. Toby Lanzer, DSRSG/RC/HC/UNDP Resident Representative highlighted both the importance and challenges to reform, noting “the justice system must reflect the culture and values of South Sudan, which is difficult in a country that has such diverse people.”

State and county governments, and with technical support from UNDP, undertook consultations in the 11 counties in Jonglei state to understand the key drivers of violent conflict.

The communities collectively decided that special resources were needed to address cattle raiding as it is hampering development, security and stability in their payams and bomas. As a result, UNDP’s Community Security and Small Arms Control (CSAC) project, with funding from the United States Department of State, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Division responded by bolstering the Government’s efforts to create the LPU.

The mission of the LPU is to prevent and respond to cattle raiding incidents in Jonglei state

through community policing and by fostering engagement and dialogue within communities to develop trusting relationships with law enforcement. UNDP supported the LPU in developing their standard operating procedures, training plan and strategy. Mr. Balázs Horváth, UNDP Country Director, underscored the importance of LPU, noting that “These resources and continued technical support will enable local authorities to respond immediately to conflict and ensure they have a presence throughout the villages, which will demonstrate to the people of South Sudan that Government is committed to improving their security.” ■

ABOVE: A young South Sudanese woman with her family in a cattle camp. ©UNDP/Brian Sokol

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 177 countries and territories, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

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United Nations Development Programme: UNDP compound, P.o. Box 410, Juba, Southern Sudan. www.southsudan.undp.orgemail: communications.south.sd@undp.org

SouthSudan

editor: Marguerite Nowak, Team Leader Communications; Design: DLD

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