UNMISS Deputy Force Commander visits Torit
13 February 2012 - A top mission official stressed in the Eastern Equatoria State capital of Torit today that the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) must clearly understand the mandate of the new UN Mission in South Sudan. "Our mandate in the new mission is not to monitor them (as did the…
South Sudan Police to digitize personnel records
13 February 2012 - As part of South Sudan Police Services (SSPS) reform, UNMISS and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) have begun a nation-wide registration exercise for all SSPS staff that will culminate in a digitization of their personnel records. The process, which kicked off on 1 February, is…
UNMISS begins HIV/AIDS training in Malakal
13 February 2012 - To assist in spreading the message about HIV/AIDS, UNMISS began a training course for "peer educators" in the Upper Nile State capital of Malakal today. In opening remarks, UNMISS' State Coordinator in Upper Nile, Seth Kumi expressed appreciation for the role the mission's HIV…
Peacekeepers host free medical camp in Juba
14 February 2012 - As part of its efforts to draw closer to the community, the UNMISS Bangladesh Military Medical Battalion held a camp today at Gumbo village, in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. A high-level Bangladeshi government delegation led by Gowher Rizvi, Advisor and Special…
Torit demobilization facility to receive upgrading
15 February 2012 – In assisting ex-combatants to re-enter civilian life, UNMISS will be funding the rehabilitation of a demobilization facility in the Eastern Equatoria State capital of Torit, mission officials said today during a one-day visit to the area. About $100,000 would be made available to…
Surviving outside the military
John Okulo has come a long way since he signed up with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) as a child soldier at the tender age of 14. Unlike many of his comrades who served in the SPLA, the now 21-year-old former combatant has successfully re-entered civilian life. Following a childhood…
Mama Zahra: Whetting Juba appetites
When Rosa Pita began cooking in her backyard in the South Sudanese capital of Juba in 1992, she never dreamed she would one day become a role model for aspiring restaurateurs. Popularly known as Mama Zahra, the 44-year-old businesswoman now owns two large restaurants in Juba -- one at Customs Market…
Shakespeare with a South Sudanese sound
A dozen South Sudanese actors in their 20s and 30s sit on couches lining the walls of a hotel lounge in Juba, poring over scripts under the watchful gaze of veteran theatre directors Joseph Abuk and Derik Uya Alfred. The dialogue they are reciting is drawn from one of William Shakespeare's lesser…
UNFPA gives SPLA condoms to fight HIV/AIDS
17 February 2012 - In combating the high HIV/AIDS rate in the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), the UN and a partner donated 140 cartons of condoms to the South Sudanese military today in Juba. The condoms were handed over by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the non-governmental organization…
Japanese engineering contingent arrives in Juba
20 February 2012 - To support infrastructural development in the Republic of South Sudan, 120 Japanese UNMISS engineering peacekeepers arrived at Juba International Airport today. Present to welcome them were Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan Akinori Wada, Government Spokesperson Dr. Benjamin…
Arrival of armed Lou Nuer in Upper Nile raises concerns
18 February 2012 – Fleeing conflict in Jonglei State, thousands of armed, displaced Lou Nuer are arriving in Ulang and Baliet counties in Upper Nile State, raising tensions among local communities who have taken part in civilian disarmament exercises. Explaining their arrival as well as weapons…