Nicholas Haysom, a South African diplomat and lawyer who served as the United Nations Secretary-General’s special representative and head of the UN Mission in South Sudan, died on March 19, 2026, in New York City, at the age of 73.
Haysom, also known as Nicholas Roland Leybourne “Fink” Haysom, worked on democratic governance, constitutional and electoral reforms, reconciliation and peace processes. Born in Durban on April 21, 1952, he was an anti-apartheid activist and was jailed four times by the regime, including periods in solitary confinement.
From 2021 until his death, he led the UN mission in South Sudan.
Nicholas Roland Leybourne “Fink” Haysom (21 April 1952 – 19 March 2026) was a South African lawyer, anti-apartheid activist and diplomat whose work focused on democratic governance, constitutional and electoral reforms, reconciliation and peace processes. From 2021 to his death, he served as the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.