News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

At the beginning of every year, the nomadic people of Reziaghat in Sudan make the long journey south with their herds of cattle seeking water and places to graze in the areas around Aweil in South Sudan. But with water resources becoming scarce in the dry season, this migration often causes…

“I would like to ask you all a question.” There is a deafening silence among the group of over a hundred boda boda riders in Bunj – a bustling town in Maban in the north-east of South Sudan. The riders stare in anticipation at Hazel Dewet, the head of the United Nations field office in the area…

Juliet Clement Bazia could not hide her joy – for a good reason: a new water point and a new vegetable market had gotten the resident of Aguka in Tonj dancing excitedly. “This is the first time to have an organization come directly to the most affected people. We are happy and grateful to UNMISS,”…

A friendly football match is how Malakal raised its red hand against the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, marked on the 12 th of February. “ Playing with my brothers at the PoC today encourages me and brings us closer as children on our day. It changes our attitudes toward each…

A borehole construction project has been launched in Manyang-Ngok county in Tonj, hoping to bring an end to conflicts arising from water access, thanks to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which has broken ground to drill two water points in the remote villages of Akot Madut and Atoong…

Opposition and government officials in Greater Koch County in Northern Liech held a one-day peace and reconciliation conference in Koch to discuss issues related to peace implementation. The meeting sought to promote joint participation of opposition, government and civilian groups in addressing…

A heated debate, on the Red Hand Day. “The recruitment of children into the army should stop,” says 16-year-old Abur Margret, a secondary four student in Aweil, South Sudan, spotlighting the plight of children who get recruited into the army. “His or her plans might be damaged because he or she has…

Vivian Poni, a 38-year-old mother of three, says she has lost trust in anyone in military uniform because to her, it signals hard luck. “I am considering moving to a refugee camp in Uganda because we are still a long way to realise peace,” says Ms. Poni, who had hoped that the signing of a…

Women of Eastern Lakes have decried early marriage, describing the practice as gender-based violence, and called on the government and traditional authorities to ensure the practice ceases immediately. “Most of our girls are forced out of school to marry when they are still young. This affects their…

Lance Corporal Mina Thapa not only defied the odds by joining the army – a male-dominated field – but went a notch higher by accepting to be a part of the Nepalese military peacekeeping force, now serving in South Sudan, far away from home. For Mina, joining the army was an opportunity to live a…

Juvenile offenders of Torit prison serving long sentences for capital offences like murder, rape, and the like are usually seen as forgotten human beings. Thankfully, an on-going restructuring programme in the prison is putting smiles back on the faces of especially six beneficiaries of the…

As a road patrol prepares to leave a United Nations Mission in South Sudan base in the town of Yei, the team leader warns those travelling to take great care during the trip to the southern part of war-torn South Sudan. “Make sure you go prepared. Don’t take any chances,” says Cherno Jallow, who…