Pasqualina Usini walked from the village of Duma Bayam, located some ten miles north of Tambura town, because something historic was happening, and he wanted to be a part of it.

A bang is heard, and two children who have been playing with objects they have found drop to the ground, remaining motionless. The audience gasps, as an eerie silence follows. Between loud sobs, a wailing relative is heard asking about the noise as she calls for urgent help.

It’s a hot Friday afternoon in the UN mission’s Malakal office. Everyone seated around the table in the conference room knows that it is going to be yet another working weekend. The atmosphere is tense, yet calm.