Mine action in progress: A peek behind the scenes as land in a Juba suburb is cleared
A mine action field site is a sight to behold – on those rare moments when you can actually discern anything through the dirt-brown clouds of dust kicked up by the MineWolf 240 rumbling through the sun-hardened ground of a field in Kudwo, some 25 km from Juba. The remote-controlled machine, weighing…
Mobile peace campaign brings hope to cattle camps in the Terekeka area
For years, the Terekeka area in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria region has been affected by conflicts related to cattle raiding, competition over grazing land and water sources, and cycles of revenge attacks. Despite numerous dialogue and peace conferences, cattle camp leaders have largely been…
“Bring-your-baby-to-workshop day” in Malakal as UNMISS activity targets young women to promote peace building
19-year-old newlywed Nyanakim Anguie Thon cradles her one-year old son as she sits in a room full of young women in Malakal. They are here to discuss everything related to peace and social cohesion. It’s the first time Nyanakim is attending a workshop like this one. Amongst her peers of comparable…
UNMISS chief in push for peace, security and access for peacekeepers on visit to Wau
The head of the United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, David Shearer, has completed a two-day visit to the Greater Bahr El Ghazal region, where he held discussions with local authorities in Wau on a wide range of issues, including the…
Time for action: Upper Nile region Governors and military commanders bring peace to the table in Malakal conference
“Peace is not what’s written on paper. Peace is what’s happening today in this room. Peace is the food we eat. Peace is in our walk and our talk.” The firmness and determination in the voice of the UN mission’s representative in Malakal Hazel De Wet, is met with a thunderous applause from the…
The making of a peace conference: How an UNMISS field office brought opposing sides to the table in Upper Nile
It’s a hot Friday afternoon in the UN mission’s Malakal office. Everyone seated around the table in the conference room knows that it is going to be yet another working weekend. The atmosphere is tense, yet calm. The people in the room are preparing to bring eight area governors from the Upper Nile…
The First Vice President of South Sudan, the Charge d’Affaires of Japan, the UNMISS SRSG, the Chairman of the National Mine Action Authority, and UNMAS Programme Manager celebrate the International Day for Mine Awareness
The First Vice President of South Sudan, the Charge d’Affaires of Japan, the UNMISS SRSG, the Chairman of the National Mine Action Authority, and UNMAS Programme Manager celebrate the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action at an event with the theme, “Safe Ground, Safe…
On Mine Awareness Day, communities urged to avoid, not touch and report any unknown objects
A bang is heard, and two children who have been playing with objects they have found drop to the ground, remaining motionless. The audience gasps, as an eerie silence follows. Between loud sobs, a wailing relative is heard asking about the noise as she calls for urgent help. “Come! Come and help me…
Female students in Torit receive training on menstrual hygiene management
“Sun dry, sun dry, sun dry!” echoed female students of the Dr John Garang Senior Secondary School in Torit, as they soaked in information during their menstrual hygiene management training. Although menstrual hygiene management practices vary between and within countries, its features include the…
Historic moment in the Tambura area as government and opposition members come together for peace
Pasqualina Usini walked from the village of Duma Bayam, located some ten miles north of Tambura town, because something historic was happening, and he wanted to be a part of it. For the first time in three years, two military generals – Major General James Nando and General Baleya Digido – from…
Eastern Lakes women challenge men; demand what is constitutionally theirs
Imagine an all-men tribunal sitting to hear a rape case and the only available woman is the victim seeking justice! For many years, such incidents have occurred in South Sudan, and passed unchallenged. “In our culture, women are not allowed to talk amongst men. We are going to eradicate this culture…
UNMISS Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites Update No. 232
UNMISS Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites Update No. 232