SOUTH SUDAN / TAMBURA PEACE

An escalation in tensions in Tambura in South Sudan has led to joint interventions by government partners and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to boost community confidence and security.

In 2021, an upsurge of violence in this area led to tens of thousands being displaced, losing their properties and livelihoods and a massive loss of life.

At that point, UNMISS swiftly deployed Ethiopian peacekeepers to establish a temporary operating base in Tambura, which continues to patrol and support residents as they slowly began the painstaking process of rebuilding their lives.

Given the spike in security concerns in past weeks, UNMISS peacekeepers have intensified patrols and the UN Peacekeeping mission is working jointly with state authorities to keep the peace and reassure residents.

Suzanna Joseph, who was displaced in the 2021 conflict and has since returned to her home and farm, talked during a joint UNMISS and state government delegation that recently visited Tambura.

She said, “What I am thinking in my heart is the need for peace. We want peace to prevail so that people can return to their homes and our children can go back to school for studies. They cannot just be lingering because they are the backbone of our country. If they are not studying, they will not have knowledge. This is very painful for us [as mothers and] that is why we don’t want war; we need peace.”

James Severino Western Equatoria state’s Minister of Local Government and Law enforcement, said, “We set a security committee in the state, and we sent extra forces to Tambura to boost security. And is good that people in Tambura are appreciating the work they are doing there. We believe their presence they will be able to provide security to our people, their properties, and those living in Tambura.”

He also said, “We want peace in Tambura. We want people to resume their normal activities, we want businesses to boost here, we want development and, at the end, [we want] the whole state to prosper.”

Jane Lanyero Kony, Head of the UN Peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in Western Equatoria, reiterated UNMISS’ ongoing support in protecting civilians.

She said, “As peace partner to the government, what UNMISS has done and continues to do in Tambura is use our establishment through the Temporary Operating Base; through the Ethiopian battalion; to contribute to the protection of civilians. In the last two or three weeks, we intensified patrols both day and night inside and within Tambura town as well as the hotspots because communities were seen running towards the IDP camp adjacent to our camp seeking physical protection. We, therefore, working together with the security organs at the state level, supported establishing and building confidence among the people and we continue to do so. So, what we were able to see and hear from people is that strong call for peace.”