News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

South Sudan’s second largest city, Malakal, held a peace celebration in scenes reminiscent of the atmosphere when the young country became a republic seven years ago. The celebration was a culmination of a series of engagements between uniformed and civilian leaders from across the divide. The…

“One rape is too many,” says Andrea Cullinan from the United Nations Population Fund. Cullinan is also the National Coordinator representing various United Nations agencies, and national and international non-governmental organisations working in the prevention and response to gender-based violence…

At Juba 1 Girls’ Primary School, South Sudanese girls sing and dance, articulating their dreams and aspirations. “We need peace, we need peace. I want to become a doctor,” one sings, drawing a chorus response from her peers. “I want to be a pilot,” another declares in a sweet, piping voice, as she…

A high-level delegation of the Embassy of Japan in South Sudan, the United Nations, and representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) visited Kasire Village in Rajaf, on the outskirts of Juba Town on 6 December, where it…

It’s been years since the pitter-patter of little feet have been heard at the SOS Children’s Village in Malakal town. There are no giggling children swinging on the playground. What used to be a place of joy now lies desolate. Rusted metal frames and broken glass are all that’s left in the bedrooms…

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous incidents of sexual and gender-based violence against women near Bentiu in northern South Sudan in recent weeks. The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern about the well-being of the victims, who…

Military personnel from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces have completed a three-day training aimed at curbing conflict-related sexual violence in the northern town of Bentiu, where shocking incidents of rape and sexual assault have been reported in recent weeks. Organized by the United…

A large section of boda-boda motorcyclists and security officials in Yei River area have resolved to end hatred and mistrust between them to foster peaceful coexistence and build social cohesion. The commitment was made at the conclusion of a one-day trust and confidence-building workshop organized…

At an undisclosed location in South Sudan’s Unity region, a rape survivor narrates her ordeal. “We were coming back from the town, and on our way, we found people, and these people looted our items. After that, they tied us for eight hours in the bush, and then at 4:00am, they released us,” narrates…

They came before dawn. Arriving in Freedom Square in the murky pre-morning light, hundreds of athletes stretched their legs and jogged on the spot as they prepared to challenge themselves and each other in a 10-kilometre race around the streets of South Sudan’s capital city. The runners come from…

UNMISS PoC sites Update No.221

It was all joy in August this year when I received an email that I had been selected as a United Nations Volunteer; I would be serving as a Public Information Officer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The excitement was palpable! I had been looking forward to working abroad…