LAKES – As South Sudan’s ongoing peace process reaches a critical juncture with the recent 24-month extension of its ongoing transitional period, the full participation of young people in the country’s democratic transition is crucial.
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A two-month cultural exchange among six secondary schools in Rumbek, South Sudan, saw young students using the performing arts to depict the importance of lasting peace, social cohesion and forging a unified national identity. Photo by James Mawien/UNMISS.

Improving road conditions across South Sudan continues to be a priority for UNMISS peacekeepers and South Korean engineers have recently completed a 307-kilometer road connecting Bor, Akobo, Pibor and Gumuruk. Photo by Mach Samuel/UNMISS.

Shoring up trust among civilians and uniformed actors is key to ensuring a peaceful, prosperous future for South Sudan, and ensuring those impacted by erstwhile civil wars can finally trace their steps homewards agreed participants at an UNMISS-led training in Western Equatoria. Photo by Martin Siba/UNMISS
WESTERN EQUATORIA - “Protecting civilians is our main duty as soldiers,” said Captain Apollo Choul, Commander of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Mundri west, a county in Western Equatoria state.

Some 50 police and prisons officers in Eastern Equatoria's greater Kapoeta region committed to upholding human rights standards as well as built their law enforcement capacities, thanks to an UNMISS-facilitated training. Photo by Okello James/UNMISS

Civic education helmed by the UN family aims to galvanize public participation in key political processes in South Sudan, including the drafting of this young country's permanent constitution and upcoming elections. A joint two-day consultation led by UNMISS, UNHCR, UN Women and UNDP sought to hear from internally displaced persons, returnees, women, youth and persons with disabilities in Bentiu. Photo by Roseline Nzelle Nkwelle/UNMISS
UNITY - In 2011, South Sudan won its hard-fought independence from its northern neighbour, Sudan, but those hope-filled times were soon a distant memory as the world’s newest nation became embroiled in bloody, brutal civil wars.


Lots of rejoicing took place when UNMISS organized festive event under the theme The Revitalized Peace Agreement – Achievements, Challenges, and the Way Forward. Photos: James Sokiri/UNMISS