“Our state is peaceful, this is why we are seeing so many development projects. We will continue that way so that our people can see more of the same,” says Margret Itto Leonardo, deputy governor in Torit.

She was speaking at a recent launch of one of the Quick Impact Projects of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, which has committed approximately 50,000 USD to its local Implementing partner, Moonlight Development Organization. The money will be used to provide and install 40 solar panels and its necessary accessories to the local Torit radio station.

“Giving a chance to a local partner is building their capacity. We hope this will set the precedent for other international partners to strengthen other South Sudanese companies,” continued Ms. Leonardo.

The state-run Torit radio station 97.5 FM, established in 2008, operates for only five hours a day, two hours in the morning and three hours in the evening, due to a lack of fuel to run the generator which powers the transmission equipment. Reporting the news under such conditions is difficult. Even more challenging is the resulting inability to use the radio as a vehicle to sufficiently spread peace in the area, where inter-communal clashes and cattle raiding have been rampant since 2016.

The Quick Impact Projects are small-scale, low-cost and rapidly implemented. They are funded to support the development of local communities. Opting for the solar panels for the radio station was a decision reached through widespread consultations with local communities, the government and civil society organizations.

“I am happy with this project because we depend on the radio for news here. This project means more news for us,” quipped a cheerful Simon Barnabas, a community member present at the launch.

When the installation of the solar panels has been completed, the radio station will be able to be on air for more than 12 hours a day, for audience as far away as 100 km from Torit, which represents a significant increase of the station’s geographical reach.

“It is our hope that the local radio will serve as a tool for conflict mitigation and promotion of peaceful coexistence,” said Caroline Waudo, a representative of the UN peacekeeping mission.

The ministry of information has assigned seasoned journalists to the station and is keen on broadcasting humanitarian programmes free of charge. In addition, the ministry of physical infrastructure has provided technicians to support the design and implementation phases of the project.