UNMISS engineering work helps connect Jonglei communities to new Bor-Juba road

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UNMISS engineering troops are rehabilitating roads across the country, also in Jonglei State. Photos: Gideon Sackitey/UNMISS

15 Apr 2021

UNMISS engineering work helps connect Jonglei communities to new Bor-Juba road

David Awuou Majak

A much-improved road from Bor to the capital Juba is great, but to make the most it, feeder roads must also be in decent condition. Engineering peacekeepers from South Korea are working on making that happen.

“This is a great development. This is the first time I’m able to come all the way to Bor to sell my cows and goats, and the road was secure and open for all”, said John Korok, a Murle trader who travelled with his cattle from Pibor.

The rehabilitation of the main supply route, undertaken by the peacekeeping mission after a request made by the government, is of course also benefitting traders based in Bor, who now make the journey in the other direction in large numbers.

There is, however, a second hugely influential factor at play to explain the increased traffic on the Bor-Pibor road: a significant reduction of intercommunal violence.

“It used to be rare to travel to Pibor by road, both because it was often near-impassable and because the fear of being ambushed was great, so big thanks to them [the peacekeepers] for making this effort,” said Daniel Ayuen, who travels along the route to sell food products in Pibor.

“In fact, I think the increased interaction between communities will increase trust and reduce violence between people as they see the benefits of trading and living in harmony,” he added.

If Mr. Ayuen is proven right, the hard work of the South Korean engineering troops will have served its purpose to “ease the movement of people and goods and significantly promote intercultural interaction and economic activities”. The improved road also helps the peacekeeping fulfill one of its mandates: to facilitate access for humanitarian aid.

The rehabilitation of feeder roads like the one between Bor and Pibor is timely, as the government is currently working on a major upgrade of the vital route connecting Bor with Juba. A trip between the two cities now takes two hours instead of four, much to the delight of commercial driver Chol Ngor.

“This is very exciting. I’m making a lot of money now because I can drive to Juba and back in the same day,” he said with a telltale smile on his face.