If Bunia Could Speak: When poetry becomes a space for healing and advocacy for peace
“If Bunia could speak, it will wake up with hope tomorrow. It will ask to stop bleeding. It will ask to breathe peace.” Inside the conference room of MONUSCO’s logistics base in Bunia, these words were spoken in a single voice. They did not come from one poet alone, but from a group of women — community mediators, women’s rights advocates, young leaders and female peacekeepers — gathered for a poetry workshop. The text they were reading had just…
Displaced families in Mundri live in limbo amidst persistent violence between armed forces
The usually quiet church compound in Mundri has turned in a bustling hub of activity with more than 4,000 people crowded together in makeshift shelters. These families have sought sanctuary at the site after being forced to abandon their homes and flee for their lives during military confrontations between armed forces in Greater Mundri a few months ago. Thirty-eight-year-old Aida Stephen is among those struggling to support her family in dire…
UN Security Council extends UNAMA mandate for three months
On 16 March, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2818 (2026), extending UNAMA’s mandate for an additional three months.
Advancing women, peace and security
Members of the Libyan Women’s Caucus hold an online meeting with young women to capture perspectives and recommendations for the Structured Dialogue
TRIPOLI – In an online meeting on Monday 9 March, members of the Structured Dialogue’s (SD) Libyan Women’s Caucus met with around 30 young women from across the country to brief them on their work and hear their perspectives on key issues related to governance, economy, security, national reconciliation and human rights. Supporting effective participation of women of all ages and person with disability in the SD, and ensuring that their concerns…
An UNMISS- supported dialogue seeks to build social cohesion, counter hate speech
JONGLEI - “Information is the backbone of communication. When the public lacks accurate information, rumors and misinformation can quickly spread and create conflict.” This warning from civil society leader Bol Deng Bol reflects growing concern among community leaders in South Sudan’s Jonglei, where peace actors are intensifying efforts to counter hate speech and strengthen peaceful coexistence between communities. A dialogue supported by the…
New Special Protection Unit in Maridi boosts confidence in reporting violence against women
WESTERN EQUATORIA - A newly established Special Protection Unit (SPU) in Maridi a county in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state, has had a tangible impact on increasing women’s protection. This confidential space for community members to report violence against women has led to a noticeable reduction in incidents over the past year. “After the Special Protection Unit was fully functioning, we have seen a distinct increase in reports related to…
In Bor, survivors of sexual violence and abduction finally find safety, support
JONGLEI – “I don’t want to return home. It will only remind me of what we have been through.” Nyakim’s * tragedy began with her husband being killed and her home being burnt down when armed actors attacked her village in northern Jonglei last month. But it didn’t stop there: she and her seven children were abducted by the perpetrators, alongside 22 other women and children. What followed can only be described as a seemingly never-ending nightmare…
Over 13 tons of food items donated for displaced people in Tyre
As part of UNIFIL’s continued efforts to support communities affected by ongoing exchanges of fire in south Lebanon, the mission’s Italian peacekeepers made substantial food donations to internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in Tyre last week. On 13 March, peacekeepers delivered more than 13 tons of packaged food items – in addition to essential medical kits, medicines and hygiene kits – to the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the Union of Tyre…
Governance
Speech of the SRSG | Exchange Meeting on the Implementation of the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to have the opportunity to address a few words to you at the opening of this meeting, at such an important moment for the life of the country. The adoption of the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections constitutes an important step in the current phase of the transition. I welcome the presence of representatives of political parties, whether signatories to the National Pact or not, as well…
UN supported training aims to boost electoral readiness
WESTERN EQUATORIA - In Yambio, a message from a disability rights advocate captured the spirit of a new push to ensure every South Sudanese voice is heard in the country’s first elections, currently scheduled for December 2026. “As persons with disabilities, we must be included in planning for elections. It is our constitutional right,” said Moses Louis, Chairperson of the Association of People Living with Disabilities, Western Equatoria. As…
Water is vital for survival and, alongside sanitation, helps protect public and environmental health. Our bodies, our cities and our industries, our agriculture and our ecosystems all depend on it. Water is a human right…
March 22, 2019 – Women in Kosovo could influence more sustainable and lasting peace – but only if they can access high level political processes, women in Kosovo said during a joint United Nations and European Union event…
March 22, 2019 – Women in Kosovo could influence more sustainable and lasting peace – but only if they can access high level political processes, women in Kosovo said during a joint United Nations and European Union event…
Environment officers and water and sanitation focal points from 15 United Nations peace operations around the world gathered in south Lebanon this week to see first-hand and understand UNIFIL’s successful wastewater and…
Environment officers and water and sanitation focal points from 15 United Nations peace operations around the world gathered in south Lebanon this week to see first-hand and understand UNIFIL’s successful wastewater and…
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Denise Brown of Canada as his new Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in…
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Denise Brown of Canada as his new Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in…
It is not every day that a bicycle is viewed as an important tool for building peace, but in some remote and hard-to-reach areas of South Sudan, like Lopa, Ikotos, Torit East, Kidepo Valley, Chukudum, Kimotong and Riwoto…
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an occasion for all of us to renew our promise to end racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim…
Within the tall walls of state Prison fence, hundreds have lived without stepping at the gate step to see what goes around Torit town, Juveniles unbelievably inside the fence felt freed to jump and sing for the joy of the day…
Within the tall walls of a prison fence, they have lived, in their hundreds. They have no clue what goes on around Torit town, because they have not stepped out of the prison in a long time. “Today in Torit State prison, I…