United Nations peacekeepers commemorated their international day in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State Monday with a symbolic football match against local women, highlighting efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote peace in the conflict-affected region.
The event underscored the decade-long partnership between peacekeepers and local communities in Western Equatoria, an area severely impacted by military confrontations and intercommunal violence. Acting Governor James Severino praised the peacekeepers’ role in protecting civilians and establishing relative peace in Tambura, pledging continued collaboration for sustainable stability.
The peacekeeping contingent, part of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), comprises over 18,000 personnel from 75 countries working to prevent the nation’s relapse into civil war while building foundations for free, fair elections. Their mission focuses on creating conditions for lasting peace across the troubled region.
Emmanuel Dukundane, a Civil Affairs Officer with UNMISS, emphasized ongoing collaboration efforts throughout greater Tambura and neighboring counties, reaffirming commitment to strengthening partnerships for sustainable peace. The ceremony also honored fallen peacekeepers, with 145 UNMISS personnel having lost their lives since the mission’s 2011 establishment.
Western Equatoria Legislative Assembly Speaker Wakila Charles delivered a poignant message about personal responsibility in peacebuilding, urging leaders to foster peace within their homes and communities. Her call for introspection highlighted how individual commitments to peace can ripple outward to transform entire states.
The symbolic football match and commemorative ceremonies demonstrated the evolving relationship between international peacekeepers and South Sudanese communities, moving beyond security operations to embrace cultural exchange and mutual understanding as essential components of sustainable peacebuilding efforts.