Imvepi

22 June 2017

Opening remarks to the press at the Imvepi refugee settlement in Uganda

António Guterres

What we have all seen is the demonstration of the extraordinary generosity of the people and the Government of Uganda, receiving so many hundreds of thousands, almost 1 million, South Sudanese refugees as sisters and brothers and sharing with them their land and everything they have.
 
In a world where so many people are selfishly closing their doors, closing their borders, not allowing refugees to come, this example deserves praise, admiration from the whole international community.
 
Tomorrow, the international community will have the opportunity to express its solidarity to the refugees and the people and Government of Uganda, responding to our appeal for massive financial support, both for humanitarian aid for the refugees but also for the investments needed for the education system, the health system, the infrastructure, the environment of this area, to be able to cope with this enormous challenge. And, at the same time, I cannot forget that twelve years ago I was here, in June, in this same place, I was [marking] World Refugee Day with South Sudanese refugees that were singing with joy because they were going back home soon. And indeed, I was able a few years later to accompany many of them across the border, going back home, reuniting with their families and hoping that their new country would be in peace.
 
Unfortunately, the leaders of the country have not deserved the people they have. And the people are suffering enormously with this endless war. It is time for the war to end. It is time for all the leaders of South Sudan to understand that they need to stop this war. And I am very grateful for the efforts made by the Heads of State of the region, the regional organization, the IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development], efforts made by the African Union, by the United Nations itself, in order to create the conditions for peace to be re-established. Peace in South Sudan is a must for these people to be able to have a future.