For Immediate Release: December 18, 2013
Contact: Steven Ruder, sruder@usip.org

(Washington) – Ambassador Princeton Lyman and Jon Temin, experts with the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), are available for comment on the ongoing violence in South Sudan. Ambassador Lyman was the U.S. special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan from 2011 to 2013 and led U.S. diplomatic efforts following the 2011 referendum on South Sudanese independence. Temin is director of USIP’s Africa programs.

Temin, who travels frequently to the region, stressed the threat to the fragile fabric of the young nation, stating:

“The significant violence in and around Juba in recent days is very concerning, and represents the greatest threat to stability South Sudan has faced since its birth two and a half years ago. The country started out with great promise and high expectations among its people, but these developments raise critical questions about unity and cohesion within key institutions, especially the dominant political party and the military, and the consequences of continued infighting.”

Ambassador Lyman, senior advisor to the president of USIP, also emphasized the importance of resolving conflict through institutions, commenting:

“South Sudan is a multi-ethnic state. It can only succeed if all elements of society have access to strong political institutions to work through their objectives and differences.”

Immediately preceding his tenure as special envoy, Lyman served as U.S. senior advisor on North-South Negotiations, where he led the U.S. team focused on supporting on-going negotiations between the parties to Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Temin has led peacebuilding projects in South Sudan, Sudan, and elsewhere in Africa for more than a decade.

Lyman and Temin are available for additional comment. Ambassador Lyman can be reached at plyman@usip.org or princetonlyman@yahoo.com. Temin can be reached at jtemin@usip.org or by phone at 202-257-3387.

Information on USIP’s work in the region is available via the website.

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The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan conflict management center created by Congress to prevent and mitigate international conflict through nonviolent means. USIP works to save lives, increase the government’s ability to deal with conflicts before they escalate, reduce government costs, and enhance national security. USIP is headquartered in Washington, DC. To learn more, visit www.usip.org.