Esther Siama works as a hairdresser in a salon in Yambio market, Western Equatoria. She hopes for a peaceful, prosperous future for all South Sudanese.
Shaping Peace Now: “True peace starts at home,” – Esther Siama, South Sudan
“I remember being very scared as a child. Ambushes on dirt roads were common and people would be robbed, beaten and killed. I was entrapped once and thank God every day that my attackers didn’t kill me,” reveals Esther Siama…
With delays in the peace process leading to frustration and disillusionment among many South Sudanese, youth leaders in Western Equatoria teamed up with UNMISS' Civil Affairs Division to identify root causes of spiraling violence in many parts of South Sudan as well as possible solutions.
Ambassadors for Peace: Youth in Western Equatoria discuss inclusive solutions to end conflict
“We, as young South Sudanese, have the potential to actualize positive change and transform South Sudan into a model of peaceful coexistence.” This passionate statement was made by Ripai Justin, a youth leader in Yambio…
The Amal Jazz Band, an ensemble of talented musicians, gives music lessons to displaced children and teenagers so that youngsters inculcate the strong cultural heritage of South Sudan.
Building Peace Through Music: Amal Jazz Band from Malakal, South Sudan
Music has the power to break all existing barriers between communities. This forms the motto of Amal Jazz Band, a unique ensemble of musicians who promote peaceful coexistence and social cohesion through their performances.…
Civil society representatives in Eastern Equatoria State gathered to better coordinate their activities and service delivery.
Civil society network in Eastern Equatoria to coordinate activities for more effective service delivery
The Civil Society Network in Eastern Equatoria State is developing new strategies to secure additional funding and improve collaboration with state authorities. Their goal? To increase the number of civic engagement centres…
This motorbike, still wrapped in plastic, and nine others will help police in Jonglei do a better job.
UNMISS hands over motorbikes to South Sudan national police services
The South Sudan National Police Services in Greater Jonglei have received ten motorbikes from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to improve their mobility and hence ability to protect civilians. The vehicles were…
Some seven years after the outbreak of civil war in 2013, the Protection of Civilians site in Bor, South Sudan, has been re-designated as a conventional camp for Internally Displaced Persons.
UN Protection of Civilians site in Bor becomes a conventional camp for displaced people
When fierce fighting broke out in Bor in 2013, Diu Billiu Majok and his family ran for their lives to the United Nations base there. The peacekeeping mission opened its gates to provide sanctuary to Diu and thousands of…
UNMISS engineers doing what they do best: repairing an important road, this time in flood-stricken Bor.
UNMISS completes emergency repair of crucial road in Bor town
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has completed emergency road repair work between the Bor Airport and the Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology. The South Korean engineering contingent serving…
Some 850 peacekeepers from Nepal were awarded the United Nations medal for their service and sacrifice towards the aim of achieving durable peace across South Sudan.
UNMISS Peacekeepers from Nepal receive UN medals for their service in South Sudan
“I’m very proud to be a part of UNMISS,” says Captain Chunadevi Paudel, a peacekeeper from Nepal, upon receiving the United Nations medal for her commitment to the cause of durable peace across South Sudan. “What I have been…
Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Wau distributing a donation of educational material.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers boost local education in Wau
Bangladeshi peacekeepers based in Wau and serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan have donated textbooks and teaching material to a local school, specifically targeting internally displaced learners. “I am…
On 29 September 2020, David Shearer, the UN’s top envoy in South Sudan, said that tangible progress in the peace process across the country is a crucial issue, while speaking at a press conference. Other key issues touched upon by the Mr. Shearer included unhindered access for UNMISS peacekeepers, economic stability for the South Sudanese as well as the ongoing re-designation of UN Protection Sites into more conventional camps for displaced people.
“Limping” peace agreement risks delaying elections in South Sudan
“COVID-19 has slowed the peace process, but the pandemic is not entirely to blame. The peace agreement is limping along,” says David Shearer. “My concern about the delay is that it risks pushing elections out well beyond the…
On 29 September 2020, David Shearer, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, briefed media partners on the current situation in South Sudan. The briefing was held at the mission's headquarters in Juba.
Near Verbatim Transcript of SRSG/Head of UNMISS David Shearer's Press Conference
Juba, 29 September 2020 - Good afternoon everybody. It’s good to be with you again and to see you in person, albeit with your facemasks on. It’s important, as we know, to follow these COVID prevention measures to keep us all…
Reports from Eastern Equatoria say that more than 300 teenage girls were either raped, forced into marriage, or used as “girl child compensation” (given to another family as compensation for a crime committed by a member of her family), during the COVID-19 lockdown in South Sudan. Only 20 of these girls have formally reported their ordeals to the Special Protection Unit of the South Sudan National Police Services (SSNPS).
Local police in Eastern Equatoria benefit from UNPOL sensitization on violence against women and girls
“My father threatened to kill me if I refuse to marry the man, he chose for me. I was afraid that reporting a parent to the police would be of no help. So, I hid from my family at a friend’s house. Only my mother knew where I…