WESTERN EQUATORIA- Peace begins, sometimes, with a multicultural gathering like the one recently organized at the Freedom Square in Yambio.
News
![unmiss south sudan western equatoria state yambio peace festival diversity unity intercommunal violence coexistence](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/xylophones_and_women.jpg?itok=dSjGDBvg)
Recently, people from nine ethnic groups got together to celebrate a peace festival, embracing unity. Photos: Martin Siba/UNMISS
![unmiss elections south sudan democracy journalists reporters ethics media sexual violence protection of civilians un united nations un peacekeeping peacekeepers yambio western equatoria](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/unmiss_train_journalists_on_monitoring_and_reporting_1.jpg?itok=NSZSIPUs)
Peace begins when journalists are fully empowered to report on the impact of conflict. In Yambio, UNMISS held a workshop for 30 local journalists on ways to ethically document sensitive issues such as sexual violence. Photo by Denis Louro/UNMISS
![unmiss south sudan malakal peace begins with me concert peace agreement elections constitution](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/singing_performers.jpg?itok=KtiUQx6D)
Perhaps peace begins with singing? If so, Malakal residents attending an UNMISS peace concert did their best to usher it in. Photos: Ines Surwumwe & Samson Liberty/UNMISS
![unmiss south sudan central equatoria terekeka youth conference political space participation empowerment](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/piggy-backing.jpg?itok=NfHlg4Va)
Who said one cannot enjoy breaks to have a bit of fun while discussing how to increase the political space and participation of youth, in Terekeka and beyond? Photos: James Sokiri/UNMISS
![unmiss human rights elections south sudan democracy civic political united nations un peacekeeping peacekeepers](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/sokiri_1_0.jpg?itok=0T11ud9-)
An UNMISS human rights forum saw frank discussions about the need for all stakeholders to come together, despite their differences, and contribute to ensure that South Sudan's first post-independence elections, scheduled for December 2024, are free, fair as well as credible. Photo by James Sokiri/UNMISS
![unmiss south sudan koch unity state trust fund projects transformation sports vocational training police prison](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/donor_tour_with_kids.jpg?itok=IvofAaSw)
Donors visiting Koch to see the results of a variety of projects implemented over the last four years were impressed. Photos: Peter Bateman/UNMISS