Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Nicholas Haysom (left). The UN mourns the loss of Nicholas Haysom, an outstanding lawyer and peacemaker UN
The United Nations has announced the death of Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan – one of the UN’s most experienced and respected crisis diplomats.
Nicholas Haysom’s professional path ran from the position of adviser to Nelson Mandela in South Africa after the end of apartheid to a key role in organizing peacekeeping missions in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Appointed to his last post in 2021, the South African lawyer and diplomat has dedicated his career to promoting democratic governance, promoting constitutional reform, reconciliation and supporting peace processes. He served as Mandela’s chief legal adviser in the 1990s and later held a number of senior UN positions, including leading missions in Somalia and Afghanistan, as well as work in Iraq and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Haysom “a tireless peacemaker and an unwavering defender of UN values,” noting his contribution to South Africa’s democratic transformation and work in the world’s most challenging regions. Guterres said Haysom combined deep legal knowledge with extensive political experience and always strived to improve people’s lives.
“The UN mourns the loss of an outstanding colleague, friend and mentor. His legacy will live on – in the peace processes he promoted and in the institutions he strengthened,” the Secretary-General said in a statement.