Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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March 19, 2026 UN
The United Nations has announced the death of Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for South Sudan – one of the UN's most experienced and respected crisis diplomats.
Nicholas Haysom's career has ranged from serving as an adviser to Nelson Mandela in post-apartheid South Africa to playing a key role in peacekeeping missions in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The South African lawyer and diplomat, appointed to his latest post in 2021, has dedicated his career to promoting democratic governance, facilitating constitutional reform, reconciliation, and supporting peace processes. In the 1990s, he served as Mandela's chief legal adviser and later held a number of senior positions within the UN, including leading missions in Somalia and Afghanistan, as well as serving in Iraq and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Guterres called Haysom "a tireless peacemaker and steadfast defender of UN values," noting his contributions to South Africa's democratic transformation and his work in the world's most challenging regions. According to Guterres, Haysom combined deep legal knowledge with extensive political experience and always strived to improve people's lives.
"The UN mourns the loss of a distinguished colleague, friend, and mentor. His legacy will live on – in the peace processes he championed and the institutions he strengthened," the Secretary-General said in a statement.
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