[Near Verbatim]
News

Today, Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Peacekeeping mission, UNMISS, briefed the press on the current political situation in the country, including the urgent need by all stakeholders to galvanize political will and achieve peace benchmarks, notably the holding of free, fair, credible and transparent elections, without further delays. Photo by Gregorio Cunha/UNMISS

UNMISS peacekeepers often go beyond the UN Peacekeeping mission's mandate to support local communities. Yesterday, medical peacekeepers from Mongolia held free malaria testing for patients at the Bentiu Hospital, giving hope and medications for numerous people who were diagnosed as having this common but dangerous disease, given the ongoing rainy season in South Sudan. Photo by Peter Bateman/UNMISS

Two new facilities—a primary school and a health center—have brought joy to communities in a remote village in Western Equatoria. Photo by Phillip Mbugo/UNMISS

UNMISS recently organized three workshops on protection of civilians for local authorities, organized forces, and traditional leaders in Ezo, Mvolo and Ibba counties of Western Equatoria. Photo by Denis Louro Oliver/UNMISS.

An UNMISS peace campaign in Nimule fosters social cohesion and aims to encourage voluntary returns as South Sudan races to complete remaining peace benchmarks, including the conduct of free, fair and credible elections. Photo by Moses Yakudu/UNMISS

A visiting UNMISS team meets returnees fleeing violence in neighbouring Sudan who are currently located in a transit site in Warrap. Photo by Zejin Yin/UNMISS