29 May 2011 – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan Hilde F. Johnson today urged UN peacekeepers to rededicate themselves to achieving lasting peace for the citizens of the Republic of South Sudan.

Ms. Johnson was speaking during the mission's maiden celebrations of the annual International Day of of UN Peacekeepers.

"This is also a significant day as it is the first international Peacekeepers Day to be observed in South Sudan, since the country obtained independence on 9 July 2011," she said. "I am confident that together we shall overcome the many obstacles confronting this young country. "

Present at the event, which was held at the mission's headquarters in Juba, were the South Sudanese government's Minister of Information Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, UNMISS Force Commander Maj. Gen. Moses Bisong Obi, members of the resident diplomatic community and representatives of the UN Country Team.

The event began with a medal parade for 47 Japanese officers who are part of the 212-strong Japanese Engineering Company serving in the mission. Troops from Rwanda, India, Bangladesh and Cambodia also participated in the parade.

Ms. Johnson read out a message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that described the day as an occasion to salute the 120,000 peacekeepers serving in 17 missions in some of the world's most volatile and dangerous environments and mourn fallen peacekeepers.

"Let us remember the sacrifice of those who have served, and let us pledge to strengthen the global partnerships that make our blue helmets a beacon of hope to millions," she read.

Minister Marial said the people and leadership of South Sudan are "grateful" for the presence of UNMISS peacekeepers in the country and remain confident that UNMISS will continue to maintain peace and security.

"The project of conflict preventing, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction must be at the top of the agenda for the United Nations International Peacekeepers," he said.

The minister described relations between the South Sudanese government and the mission during the country's initial months of independence as a "successful partnership of cohabitation."

As an example of this partnership, Minister Marial singled out the monitoring work performed by integrated teams of UN personnel during the civilian disarmament campaign that the Sudan People's Liberation Army is conducting in Jonglei State.

"Up to now we have been concurrently working harmoniously together," he said.

Celebrations of the day in Juba concluded with a display of martial arts and calligraphy by some of the Japanese troops.

Elsewhere in South Sudan, UNMISS staff members participated in peace marches through the streets of some state capitals to mark the day. UN police advisors and South Sudan Police Service officers also participated in friendly volleyball and football matches in Malakal, Bentiu and Torit.

UNMISS staff members conducted a garbage collection exercise in the main market of the Northern Bahr El-Ghazal state capital of Aweil.

A two-day photo exhibition highlighting the role of UN peacekeepers in Western Bahr El-Ghazal was opened by Governor Riziq Zakaria Hassan at a youth center in the state capital of Wau.

"The presence of UNMISS peacekeepers in the state has been really beneficial," said the governor. "(It) has served as a guide to the government on how to address some of its developmental issues."