South Sudan Vice President Josephine Lagu Yanga on Thursday departed Juba to lead the country’s delegation to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Lagu, who heads the Service Cluster and represents the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) under the 2018 power-sharing peace agreement, was appointed one of the country’s five vice presidents in February. She previously served as minister of agriculture.
The 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was signed by President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Riek Machar—currently under detention—and other key leaders, including Lagu, to end a five-year civil war that killed an estimated 400,000 people.
However, critical provisions of the deal—such as the unification of armed forces, drafting of a permanent constitution, and preparation for national elections—remain unfulfilled.
The country faces increasing political and security tensions following President Kiir’s suspension of Machar, who has been accused of inciting violence.
This year’s General Assembly opened Sept. 9 under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.” The High-Level General Debate is scheduled to run from Sept. 23 to 29.
At a press briefing in Juba on Thursday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesperson Apuk Ayuel Mayen confirmed Lagu is leading the delegation, which includes Foreign Minister Monday Simaya Kumba and other senior officials.
“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit convened a meeting with Her Excellency Vice President Josephine Lagu and Foreign Minister Monday Simaya Kumba ahead of their departure,” Apuk said.
She added that Lagu will use the platform to reaffirm South Sudan’s commitment to peace, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development.