[Near Verbatim]
UNMISS

As a mere 8 months remain of the ongoing transitional period in South Sudan, the need for implementing key benchmarks contained within the 2018 Peace Agreement so that credible elections can be held on time was the focus of the Secretary-General's Special Representative Nicholas Haysom's press briefing in Juba today. Photo by Isaac Billy/UNMISS

Football, cultural performances, and a commitment to ending conflict-related sexual violence - these were the main themes of an UNMISS-organized event in Morobo, Central Equatoria. Photo by Taban Geofrey Koma/UNMISS

Building self-reliance through teaching income-generating skills: That's the leitmotif of an UNMISS-funded training activity for displaced persons in Mangateen,South Sudan. 45 young people are learning to bake, sew, make soap and eventually become small business owners. Photo by James Sokiri/UNMISS

Some 50 traditional leaders benefited from a joint workshop conducted by UNMISS, UNDP and the state Ministry of Presidential Affairs in Bor, Jonglei. The focus: strengthening awareness of key roles and responsibilities as stipulated within the Local Government Act (2009). Photo by David Majur Awuou

While relative stability has returned for residents of usually serene Lafon who got embroiled in cattle-related clashes in past months, much remains to be done to bring peace to this devastated community. UNMISS and humanitarian partners are rallying to help the conflict-affected here rebuild their lives as well as livelihoods. Photos by Samira Y. Salifu/UNMISS