News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

A newly-cleared mine field was turned into an arena for a big bang today, as the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) demolished a 100kg air-dropped bomb in South Sudan, marking its one millionth destruction of explosive items in the world’s youngest nation. “Today, UNMAS, the National Mine…

When the announcement is first made that the Shilluk king is on his way back to his kingdom in Fashoda, and that a courtesy call is being planned, at first, it’s just “another” story. As the day draws nigh and the excitement levels heighten, suddenly it’s all too real. This is as close as some of us…

A woman struck a poignant note with her appeal at a peace and reconciliation forum in the south-east of South Sudan. “As a mother, my prayer to God is for the elders to help the youth unite for peace in Jie and not be the ones stoking the fires of conflict,” cried out Sabina Narem, an elderly woman…

An interactive quiz session to test a group of youth on their knowledge about the working of the United Nations is in progress. Moses Ujua is spot on about the work of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). “Protection of civilians, creating conditions for humanitarian assistance…

Sixty-eight children who were associated with armed groups were released today in Yambio, South Sudan, following an assessment and verification conducted by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Child Protection Unit…

The Muru of Amadi, a predominantly farming community, drove for hours to Tali town, to meet their Mundari counterparts, who are largely cattle keepers. They were joined by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) a day later, amid cheers and ululations as they embraced one another…

The governors of Jonglei and Boma have called on the national government to start the process of disarmament as a definite means of ensuring safety and security of the people, while sustaining the recently signed revitalized peace agreement. “I believe that the situation where almost every citizen…

Korenye Ibone, a mother in South Sudan's Boma area, has an earnest plea. “As a woman, I am not able to have children again and so do not break the peace that will lead to the killing of our children again,” she says. “A lot of us in this town lost our children during the war and we do not have much…

Young and old alike, they walk aimlessly across the ashen field, as if in search of something, yet nothing. The shock is yet to wane: that picturesque view of a valley dotted with little brown huts and straw-woven granaries, buzzing with life… all that, now charred debris. Time must have stopped for…

“We must stop early marriages!” It is a both a statement of intent and a rallying call from Paramount Chief Mapiu Tong from Korok Centre County in Lol, where cases of early marriage are rampant. Chief Tong was speaking at a two-day training programme for traditional leaders on customary laws and…

Koang Tap Gatkuoth has waited for years to see justice for his brother. But now, that justice has been delivered, thanks to a new mobile court in Bentiu, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). “Our brother was killed by these guys and I am happy for this fair judgement…

“What a man can do a woman can do!” Those are the inspirational words from Margaret Idwa, the Torit Minister of Information, speaking at a capacity building workshop for women leaders in the Eastern Equatorian town. Many women in Torit feel marginalized by the peace process. They say their opinions…