When women in Yirol in the Eastern Lakes area get together to discuss their concerns and priorities, they have to settle for sitting down in the shade of an admittedly exuberant mango tree.

More than 50 women in Bentiu are gathering every Saturday and Sunday to mobilize the war-affected people in the area for peace and unity. One important part of their activities is to circulate and discuss the content of the revitalized peace agreement signed last month.

It was one of those rare cases when “everybody was there”. Indeed, those who still weren’t would not have been able to fit into a Juba Stadium filled to capacity to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the United Nations.