13 July 2012 - Barely two months after they arrived in Unity State, the UNMISS Mongolian contingent received high praise today for its work around the capital Bentiu.

"They are true peacekeepers, soldiers and professionals," said Deputy Governor Brig. Michael Chienliek Geay said in an interview. "They are part of progress being made to restore and promote peace ... and growth of our people."

The contingent's activities have included joint clean-up campaigns with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), removing broken down or abandoned vehicles and repairing major roads in Bentiu.

Rubkona County Commissioner William Garjang noted that the Mongolians and SPLA had cleaned up the Nim Tree Square, the site used for Independence Day celebrations on 9 July.

"Since the arrival of the UN in our country, this is the first group that ever mobilized the SPLA to clean anywhere in Rubkona County," the commissioner said.

SPLA Division Chief of Operations Maj. Gen. James Choul said his forces had good relations with the Mongolian peacekeepers. "When a platoon of ours joined them to clean Rubkona Market area and other places, our soldiers felt togetherness and spirit of belonging."

Mongolian Captain Ganchimeg Tseteseg initiated and led activities to clean the town, which also included Rubkona Market and the county commissioner's office compound.

The clean-up began on 6 July and continued until the eve of South Sudan's first independence anniversary on 8 July.