Being present and visible at certain times can mean the difference between life and death. Simply ask the people of Duk Padiet.
Since the end of May, when an interim operating base was built in their area of Duk County and manned and staffed by Ethiopian peacekeepers, they have observed and appreciated peace and freedom of movement without fear.
“We warmly welcome these soldiers from the UN Mission in South Sudan” (UNMISS).
Peace and safety are present as a result of them.
According to Paul Majur Manyang, a county resident, “People can sleep at night, we are free to go around and go about our everyday lives, and our children can enjoy playing again.”
Sadly, these hospitable living conditions have not always been available to residents.
The county has frequently been beset by intercommunal violence that has resulted in cattle raids, kidnappings, and fatalities, driving many locals to leave.
In one especially horrific incident that occurred in May, 18 people were slain and 750 cows were taken.
The UN peacekeeping mission established a base in the region in response to the turmoil in order to safeguard residents, regain their trust, and foster hope.
This effort has been successful thus far, with the visibility of Ethiopian Blue Helmets proving to be effective in preventing violent outbursts.
In actuality, not a single incident has been reported since their arrival.
Some of the internally displaced people have returned home and are working to put their normal life back together after observing the UN presence and the return of the peace.
They may depend on the peacekeeping mission’s ongoing help.
According to Geetha Pious, Head of the UN Mission’s Field Office for Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, “We (UNMISS) will remain here for as long as it is required to keep the populace safe.”
Paul Majur Manyang believes that when the peacekeepers have left, someone else should be responsible for ensuring the safety of his neighbourhood.
In order to continue the process of returning to normality, the administration must then deploy graduated, cohesive forces, he claims.
More than 150 individuals, including women and children, have died in Jonglei State so far this year as a result of cattle raids, retaliation killings, and ambushes.
While the South Sudanese government’s first duty is still to safeguard civilians, UNMISS is dedicated to assisting the nation’s leaders and citizens in achieving lasting peace and prosperity.