For the first time in years, the sound of gunfire has given way to the joyful noise of children playing, farmers tending their fields, and homes being repaired in Western Equatoria State. Families return to Tambura with renewed hope for the future. After years of devastating violence that displaced thousands and left entire communities abandoned, signs of recovery are finally beginning to emerge. While long-term security challenges remain a concern, the sight of people planting crops and rebuilding their lives is a massive step forward for the region.
Martha Victor Sukangi, a widow and mother of six, stood beside her flourishing maize field and noted the remarkable difference compared to previous years. “Armed groups used to move around here, but this year is much better,” she explained. “Now you can travel several miles to places like Muzungu without fear. You can see our maize growing. There are no gunshots, and no reports of women or children being killed.” This peaceful environment is exactly what is needed to ensure more families return to Tambura safely.
UNMISS Patrols Build Community Confidence
Tambura became one of South Sudan’s worst conflict hotspots in 2021, when intense fighting between armed groups forced residents to flee, losing their homes, farms, and livelihoods. Today, the improved security is largely credited to the consistent presence of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The agency regularly deploys long-duration peacekeeping patrols to support local peace efforts and create a safe environment for humanitarian organizations to deliver aid. When these peacekeepers patrol the area, it builds critical confidence, helping ensure that families return to Tambura to reclaim what they lost. For aid workers and officials monitoring regional travel arrangements, the open roads are a strong indicator of returning stability.
Since closing its temporary base in the region, UNMISS has continued to support local peacebuilding efforts through regular patrols and close collaboration with community leaders and churches. According to Njoki Rahab Kinyanjui, Head of the UNMISS Field Office in Yambio, the patrols are specifically designed to empower the communities. As the overall situation improves, the sight of green maize fields and repaired houses offers profound hope, a sentiment often echoed across the main African news portal. With continued security and global support from international peacekeeping organizations, the steady pace at which families return to Tambura will continue to grow, proving that peace is finally taking root.
