Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced that Canada has established a diplomatic mission to South Sudan, located in Juba.

The mission will be headed by Nicholas Coghlan, Canada’s first resident ambassador to South Sudan.

“Canada is working with the Government of South Sudan to support peace and stability, including through humanitarian assistance and support for maternal and newborn child health programs,” said Baird. “Continued diplomatic efforts will be essential to lay the foundation for longer-term development.”

Canada has been one of the leading contributors to South Sudan’s development and was one of the first countries to recognize its independence in 2011.

“Our government will continue to deliver development programming in South Sudan and to provide support to the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan,” said Baird. “The people of South Sudan will only recognize their full potential if their political leaders commit to the urgent need for peace and national unity.”

On April 1, 2014, Canada announced that it would provide $24.85 million in humanitarian assistance and $51.5 million in development assistance to South Sudan.

Canada established official diplomatic relations with South Sudan following the latter’s independence on July 9, 2011.

src:news.gc.ca