US Public Affairs officer on visit to Jonglei, announces the arrival of new US ambassador to S. Sudan
November,18,2011 (BOR)-United States (US) Public Affairs officer,
Phaedra Gwyn, in U.S. embassy in South Sudan Juba visited Jonglei on
Friday to deepen US relationship with Jonglei government.
On a trip to Jonglei where they met the governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk,
and minister of Social development, Ogato Chan Gilo, Mrs. Phaedra Gwyn
and her assistant, Henry Jada Andrea said US is committed to support
Jonglei state in areas of agriculture in Jonglei.
“It is important that we deepen our relationship with the government
here, that is why I have come to take some meeting with the
government, some meeting with the women associations and you
journalists”, Gywn said.
USAID launched $54 Food Security Program last month in Jonglei.
In a press statement outside the governor’s office in Bor, Gywn said
the US government will continue to support Jonglei state.
“My message is that the US embassy, US government and American people
will support you. We are interested in understanding better your
concerns so that help address them”, said Gwyn.
She said the meeting with the governor Manyang discussed challenges
facing youth in the state.
Gwyn said they have discussed some issues related to gender violence
in the state with women groups and the minister of social development
but there were no details on gender violence.
Gwyn met the state journalists to find out challenges facing them in
their fields of work, pledging that she will take her findings to the
embassy in Juba to see if they can help.
Gwyn also announced the arrival of the new appointed ambassador to
South Sudan, Susan Page earlier December.
Susan was nominated as Ambassador to South Sudan by U.S. President,
Barack Obama in August, one month after South Sudan independence.
South Sudan became independent in 9, July after the plebiscite granted
to South Sudanese by Compherensive Peace Agrement (CPA) that ended 22
year African Longest civil war in between north and south.
US was among the nations that gave qucik recognition of South Sudan on
the independence day as the news 193rd nation in the world.
Page was a deputy assistant secretary of the state in the Bureau of
African Affairs.
Page is said to extensive experience in U.S. foreign services after
her work in many African countries including Sudan, Kenya Botswana
among others.
Gwyn said Page will visit Jonglei once she arrives to understand
what’s going on in the state.
(ST)