Ensuring peace and stability and accelerating infrastructure projects are the main priorities of the new head of the UN’s Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

New Zealander David Shearer was appointed to lead UNMISS, with its 13,000 uniformed personnel, in December.

Arriving in South Sudan this week, he said his main job was to help the country move forward.

South Sudan became the world’s newest nation in 2011 but a civil war that erupted in 2013 sparked a humanitarian and political crisis that’s left nearly five million in need of aid, and forced more than three million to flee their homes.

Gabriel Shadar spoke to Mr Shearer about his past career, and how he plans to work with the government of South Sudan to build lasting peace.

Duration: 5’03”