SOUTH SUDAN / TAMBURA PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS

Since 2021, when recurrent intercommunal violence in the Greater Tambura region of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State escalated, numerous lives have been lost, and thousands of people have fled their homes. UNMISS

• Video Length: 00:02:39
• Production Date: 29 August 2025
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN – UNMISS
• Subject Topical: CIVILIAN PROTECTION; PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
• Geographic Subject: SOUTH SUDAN
• MAMS Id: 3441777
• Parent Id: 3441777
• Alternate Title: unifeed250829f

Description

STORY: SOUTH SUDAN/TAMBURA PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS
TRT: 02:39
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH/ARABIC/NATS

DATELINE: 28 August 2025, TAMBURA, SOUTH SUDAN

Shotlist

1. Various shots, UN Peacekeepers patrol in Tambura.
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Tereza Martin, Displaced Person:
3. “We don’t understand the origin of this conflict. We have lived in this camp for about six years, with hunger and suffering. Our makeshift shelters are in bad shape. The rainy season has made things worse, now we sleep on rainwater. We cannot farm because we fear being attacked. We urge the government and partners to look into our situation.”
4. Various shots, IDP camp in Tambura.
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Margret Dominic, Displaced Person:
6. “We cannot leave the camp. We can sleep because they [UN peacekeepers] patrol the area at night. If they were not here, we don’t know whether we would even have been able to sleep.”
7. Various shots, IDP camp in Tambura.
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Emmanuel Dukundane:
9. Civil Affairs Officer, UNMISS:
10. “This signifies a lot because we have a lot of resources and by positioning ourselves in that new temporary operating base, we can do more patrols and do more engagements, and facilitate peace mediation and peace processes on the ground.”
11. Various shots, UNMISS Peacekeepers patrolling.

Storyline

Since 2021, when recurrent intercommunal violence in the Greater Tambura region of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State escalated, numerous lives have been lost, and thousands of people have fled their homes.
Terrified civilians have been hiding in the bush, run away to neighbouring countries, or sought shelter in one of the several camps for internally displaced persons that dot the surroundings.

To better protect them, peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have increased their presence and intensified vehicle patrols, navigating treacherous, rain-soaked routes day and night.
Visiting the several camps for the displaced on foot, these Blue Helmets are engaging with the different ethnic communities who currently stay there.

Soundbite: [Arabic] Tereza Martin, Displaced Person:
“We don’t understand the origin of this conflict. We have lived in this camp for about six years, with hunger and suffering. Our makeshift shelters are in bad shape. The rainy season has made things worse, now we sleep on rainwater. We cannot farm because we fear being attacked. We urge the government and partners to look into our situation.”

While the sight of UN peacekeepers is reassuring, most displaced persons say that protection alone is not enough. Only when communities have reconciled and peace has been restored are they willing to return to their homes.

Soundbite: [Arabic] Margret Dominic, Displaced Person:
“We cannot leave the camp. We can sleep because they [UN peacekeepers] patrol the area at night. If they were not here, we don’t know whether we would even have been able to sleep.”

To better serve the thousands of vulnerable civilians, UNMISS is constructing a new temporary base in what is thought to be a more strategic location.

Soundbite: [English] Emmanuel Dukundane Civil Affairs Officer, UNMISS:
“This signifies a lot because we have a lot of resources and by positioning ourselves in that new temporary operating base, we can do more patrols and do more engagements, and facilitate peace mediation and peace processes on the ground.”

While UNMISS can and will continue to support South Sudan’s government in protecting Greater Tambura’s civilians, the peace and reconciliation they need and deserve must be agreed on and achieved by the affected communities, and their leaders, themselves.