Author: Koang Pal Chang | Published: 2 hours ago
Dr. Meshack Malo, who led FAO South Sudan from 2019 to 2025, delivered his Christmas message in December 2025 in Juba. Courtesy: FAO South Sudan
JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) – The outgoing Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Dr Meshack Malo, says his six-year tenure has had a lasting positive impact on South Sudan’s agricultural sector.
Speaking during a farewell event on Wednesday, January 21, Dr. Malo expressed pride in the progress achieved since he took office in May 2019.
He stated that he has been pleased and proud to work in South Sudan and remains committed to the country’s success stories that create a positive impact through agriculture.
“I have been very happy and proud to work in South Sudan,” Dr. Malo stated during a farewell ceremony in Juba. “I remain committed to this country and to contributing to success stories that create a positive impact through agriculture.”
Under Dr. Malo’s leadership, FAO shifted its focus from purely emergency humanitarian response toward long-term development.
He was instrumental in drafting the FAO South Sudan Country Programming Framework 2023–2025, which now serves as the roadmap for food security and institutional strengthening.
Notable achievements during his tenure included the distribution of seeds and fishing kits to hundreds of thousands of households, large-scale livestock vaccination campaigns, and the strengthening of local value chains for sesame, sorghum, and fish to reduce food dependency.
The primary farewell ceremony was hosted by the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Onyoti Adigo Nyikech, and attended by a high-profile delegation including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hussein Abdulbagi Akol, as well as the National Ministers of Trade and Investment.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan and representatives from the World Bank and African Development Bank.
Minister Adigo praised Dr. Malo for championing initiatives that significantly boosted livelihoods, noting that he championed agriculture, livestock, and fisheries initiatives that improved resilience across the nation.
In his remarks, Minister Adigo praised Dr. Malo’s contributions, stating, “Over more than six years, Dr. Malo has championed agriculture, livestock, and fisheries initiatives, significantly boosting resilience and livelihoods across South Sudan.”
Minister Hussein Abdulbagi Akol described Dr. Malo’s leadership as inclusive and results-oriented, noting that he successfully aligned FAO’s programs with national priorities and the needs of the South Sudanese people.
As Dr. Malo, a Kenyan national, concludes his mission in Juba, he prepares to take up a new role at FAO’s Regional Office in Accra, Ghana, where he will serve as the Deputy Regional Representative for Africa.
FAO South Sudan confirmed that the leadership transition will build on the foundations he established, particularly in climate resilience and private-sector engagement.
