BENTIU – Despite the searing heat, rising floodwaters, and insecurity that plagues residents in Bentiu, United Nations Police Officer, Wafaa Assri Sameeh Al-Goussous, remains serene. Whether on patrol, mentoring national police officers, or engaging with communities, her calm approach helps strengthen trust between law enforcement and civilians. With 13 years of experience as a police officer in Jordan, Wafaa’s career has spanned a wide range of…

UNIFIL handed over the last two of five minefields cleared by its deminers over the past six months to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), during a ceremony held yesterday in Blida, southeastern Lebanon. While clearing the final two minefields, with a combined area of 5,188 square metres, UNIFIL deminers found 946 mines which were destroyed on site. In total, UNIFIL has cleared and handed over five minefields – covering 12,030 square metres – to the…

JONGLEI - John Akuoch knows that South Sudan’s elections, currently scheduled for December this year, will be both historic and challenging. As the Assistant Coordinator for the South Sudan National Police Service in Jonglei, he believes that inclusivity is the key to success. “I am looking forward to a voting process where women are not left behind, though I understand that elections will be a complex undertaking. We need support and training so…

UNMHA and OSESGY discuss transition arrangements in Hudaydah and Sana’a

JUBA – At a farewell parade that was both poignant and celebratory, the outgoing Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, lauded the bravery of troops serving under him while reaffirming the value and effectiveness of UN Peacekeeping. “UN Peacekeeping is as relevant today as it will be in the future to prevent conflict in the first place, and to protect civilians. From my…

As part of UNIFIL’s continued support to Lebanon’s security institutions in extending state authority in south Lebanon, the UN mission handed over this week a number of vehicles and information technology (IT) equipment to the country’s two security entities. While the mission handed over two buses to the Internal Security Forces (ISF) on 24 February, today’s donations to the Directorate of General Security included 32 vehicles, 114 information…

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday told the Human Rights Council in Geneva today: “ Afghanistan is a graveyard for human rights. The cascade of edicts and laws announced by the de facto authorities since coming to power in 2021 is having a crushing impact on the Afghan people, particularly women and girls.” These edicts are being codified into an ever wider de facto legal framework. “ A new decree, signed by the…

YAMBIO - Ethiopian peacekeeper, Tigist Ferede, is serving her country and the United Nations with pride. The 46-year-old is not on the frontline of patrols but is helping to keep peacekeepers safe and ready for every challenge they might encounter. In the busy, traditionally male-dominated, workshop of the Ethiopian battalion in Yambio, Western Equatoria, the steady hum of engines and clang of tools form the rhythm of her day. As a skilled…

MUNDRI - In Mundri West, the changing seasons bring cattle — and with them, both opportunity and uncertainty. Each year, pastoralists migrate in search of water and grazing land. But as herds move across farmland and fishing areas, tensions rise with host communities. Competition over land and resources has too often turned into conflict. For one community member, what began as a simple mission of peace ended in tragedy. “I was on a mission to…

LEER - “Peace and justice are paramount for our community.” Leer County Commissioner, General James Kuol Tap, set the tone for a specialized training for 50 traditional chiefs and 20 police officers from across southern Unity in how to investigate crimes, ensure human rights standards are adhered to, and that court proceedings flow smoothly. The five-day training by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, with support from Norway and the UN…