Twenty wishes for 2020

At the start of the year I have been discussing with my team @UkinSouthSudan what we would like to see happen this year. While this list is by no means exhaustive, and we may be overly optimistic if we think we will see it all come true, I hope at least some of the following 20 wishes for 2020 will become a reality this year.

1. Cessation of hostilities holds
2. Humanitarian situation improves with greater security and access granted to allow all those in need to receive life-saving support
3. Aid workers are no longer targeted
4. Fighting with non-signatories to the peace agreement stops, and the parties convince them to join the process by making genuine progress
5. The formation of a single national army allows the security sector to provide genuine security for all South Sudanese rather than serving the objectives of a single party to the agreement
6. Resolution of the States and Boundaries issue to allow the transitional government to form
7. Transitional Government is fully inclusive, including women and youth representatives, and takes on its responsibilities to serve the people of South Sudan by:
8. … focusing on transitional justice (Chapter 5 of the agreement) to address the atrocities committed during the conflict
9. … bringing to an end all sexual violence – ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice and victims properly and respectfully cared for
10. … transparently investing its resources in building the institutions required to run a democratic society
11. … ensuring that the media is able to report freely on progress, and challenge openly when the parties fail to live up to their tasks
12. … allowing civil society to fulfil its role holding those in authority to account, and supporting the aspirations of the people
13. … empowering local authorities to focus on providing essential services to the people
14. … recognising the AU focus this year on silencing the guns – by spending its money on its people instead of purchasing more tools of war
15. There is no more child malnourishment – allowing the next generation to grow up healthy and in security, with the education required to have a prosperous future
16. Investment in job creation allows South Sudan to benefit from its youthful population
17. The country is secure enough to allow IDPs and refugees to voluntarily return home safely and start rebuilding their lives
18. A democratic and stable South Sudan becomes less reliant on oil for its resources, and focuses on mitigating climate change
19. UK peacekeepers are able to move on from UNMISS having successfully fulfilled their commitment to peace in South Sudan
20. A revitalised partnership between the United Kingdom and South Sudan flourishes in a new era of cooperation and mutual respect

I am sure I have missed some critical issues but I hope you agree achieving some of these hopes would have a positive impact on everyone’s lives in this beautiful country. Please feel free to let me know in the comments what your own top wish is for South Sudan in 2020.