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STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / MINE ACTION DAY
TRT : 04 :43
SOURCE : UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS : NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 04 APRIL 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF)
2. Various shots, deminers
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Anita Kiki Gbeho, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator:
“Mine awareness and mine action are more than just technical undertakings. They are a stark reminder of the devastating legacy of war and the long road to recovery. Each mine cleared, and each piece of land made safe, is a step towards peace, but also a testament to the destruction that conflict leaves behind. Yet, even as we work to remove the remnants of past violence, South Sudan is once again facing renewed tensions in a number of areas in the country.”
4. Various shots, people in the hall and deminers
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jurkuch Barach, Chairperson National Mine Action Authority:
“Despite the challenges, South Sudan remains committed to its international obligations and other treaties with the goal to declare our country mine-free by 2030. The goal is within reach. The National Mine Action Authority is working closely with partners to enhance national ownership, promote inclusive mine action and reduce casualties.”
6. Various shots, people in the hall and humanitarians
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Agot Alier, UNICEF Youth Reporter:
“Let's learn how to stay safe. Let's also try to be reasonable about our future, because if you don't stay safe, your future is not predictable.”
8. Various shots, people signing
9. SOUNDBITE (English) UNMAS, Chief of Mine Action Programme South Sudan, Zehrudin Sukanovic:
“Alongside the National Mine Action Authority and our partners, we have reached significant milestones. Despite our success, we should not forget the challenges of the heartbreaking crises that we witnessed in 2013 and 2016 that significantly set back our collective efforts towards building a safer and more prosperous future for South Sudan. I sincerely hope that 2025 will represent a solid step forward, rather than yet another obstacle in our ongoing journey to secure a safer space and future for people of South Sudan.”
10. Various shots, Kiki signing on the wall
The United Nations Mine Action Service in South Sudan (UNMAS) has made significant strides in tackling the deadly threat of landmines, cluster munitions, and unexploded ordnances, releasing over 1,300 square kilometres of land and clearing more than 4,000 kilometres of roads.
The decades of brutal civil war that ravaged South Sudan also left behind a terrible legacy of land littered by landmines, cluster munitions, and unexploded ordnances. More than 5000 people have been killed by explosions from these devices since 2004.
Over the last 20 years, the United Nations Mine Action Service in South Sudan (UNMAS) has made significant strides in tackling this deadly threat, releasing over 1300 square kilometers of land and clearing more than 4000 km of roads. It has also freed 15,000 agricultural areas, 344 schools, 316 water points, and 437 health clinics. In the process, mine action operators have destroyed over 1.2 million explosive items and provided risk education to more than 7 million people.
SOUNDBITE (English) Anita Kiki Gbeho, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator:
“Mine awareness and mine action are more than just technical undertakings. They are a stark reminder of the devastating legacy of war and the long road to recovery. Each mine cleared, and each piece of land made safe, is a step towards peace, but also a testament to the destruction that conflict leaves behind. Yet, even as we work to remove the remnants of past violence, South Sudan is once again facing renewed tensions in a number of areas in the country.”
The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action in South Sudan was commemorated under the theme “Safe Futures Start Here”. It emphasized the collective commitment to eliminate all landmines in the country by 2030, while acknowledging that there is a need for sustained funding, political commitment and institutional investment to achieve this ambitious outcome.
SOUNDBITE (English) Jurkuch Barach, Chairperson National Mine Action Authority:
“Despite the challenges, South Sudan remains committed to its international obligations and other treaties with the goal to declare our country mine-free by 2030. The goal is within reach. The National Mine Action Authority is working closely with partners to enhance national ownership, promote inclusive mine action and reduce casualties.”
UNMAS works in partnership with the National Mine Action Authority, the UN Mission in South Sudan and humanitarian partners to protect civilians, ensure safe access to essential services, enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, support peacebuilding and development, particularly large-scale road rehabilitation and construction of other critical infrastructure. Another priority is to build the capacity of national authorities, institutions and communities themselves to enhance safety and security.
SOUNDBITE (English) Agot Alier, UNICEF Youth Reporter:
“Let's learn how to stay safe. Let's also try to be reasonable about our future, because if you don't stay safe, your future is not predictable.”
The commemoration comes at a time when political tensions and conflict is escalating between the main parties to the 2018 peace deal, creating concern that the Revitalized Agreement could collapse, and the country return to civil war.
SOUNDBITE (English) UNMAS, Chief of Mine Action Programme South Sudan, Zehrudin Sukanovic:
“Alongside the National Mine Action Authority and our partners, we have reached significant milestones. Despite our success, we should not forget the challenges of the heartbreaking crises that we witnessed in 2013 and 2016 that significantly set back our collective efforts towards building a safer and more prosperous future for South Sudan. I sincerely hope that 2025 will represent a solid step forward, rather than yet another obstacle in our ongoing journey to secure a safer space and future for people of South Sudan.”
The United Nations family is working intensively on the political and security fronts to prevent a relapse into widespread conflict which would devastate not only South Sudan but also severely impact the entire region.
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